ART 2025 Conference: Nigeria Ensnares in the Game of Thrones and not its Purpose – Dr Bolaji Akinyemi …our problem is not restructuring but lacks of good leadership – Bishop Funsho Awe

 

The 2025 Apostolic Round Table (ART), the second in its series, was held at the main auditorium of Jesus Evangelical Ministry in the Allen area of Ikeja, Lagos. The theme was “Steward of Nations, Season 2: Nurturing the Seed of Unity in Nigeria.”

The one-day conference featured prominent Nigerian Christian faith leaders and seasoned human rights activists who x-rayed the country’s lingering situations and disadvantaged position despite its abundant human and natural resources to proffer solutions to its current state.

In his welcome address, Dr Bolaji Akinyemi, Convener of ART 2025, declared, “We are ensnared in Game of Thrones and not its purpose.”

He emphasised, “The reality of our political transactions are mere symptoms of our existential malady. Therefore, electing saints or sinners changes nothing but sets a trap for failure. Restructuring this federation after the pattern and dream of our founding fathers as enacted in 1963 is the way forward.”

The nature of our present political parties lacks ideology, coupled with the greedy nature of our elite political class, who without regard for ethics, law or humanity do anything to get into power and remain there has not and cannot bring us to the one Nigeria we all desire”, he said.

He rhetorically asked, “Why is it almost practically impossible to get the Davids and the Daudas in Nigeria to work together on a platform of nation-building on the philosophy of the king, both accepted as a model for good governance?

The goal of the Apostolic Round Table (ART) is to achieve a required clear roadmap beyond politics for one united Nigeria through ideological movement built for nation-building a panacea to our leadership failure rather than going to war,” he said.

The keynote speaker and president of the Indigenous Group for Restructuring, Bishop Joseph Ighalo Edoro, noted that some parts of the country feel marginalised, and only such groups of people call for restructuring.

“We know there are anomalies with the minority groups to the point where they are marginalised and are now seeking self-determination because of the imbalance system, political differences, and territorial inadequacy. With all the systems not favourable to them, they rise and said, it’s either you look at these unfavourable inadequacies to us or you face the consequences.”

He stressed that this is why there were upsurges in the pursuit of self-determination, equality, and justice within the Nigerian state.

Bishop Ighalo called for restructuring where the marginalised could enjoy the benefits denied and currently enjoyed in other parts of the country.

PANEL DISCUSSION – Nurturing the Seed of Unity in Nigeria

During the panellists’ discussion, each speaker explored the areas where the seed of unity needs to be nurtured.

In his submission, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, representing the Rebirth Group said the present setting and formation can’t lead anywhere, the system flawed and the foundation faulty with the future thwarted. Therefore there’s a need for rebirth and restructuring of Nigeria.

In his contribution, Archbishop Funso Awe, a retired Venerable of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), activist and former Lagos State governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), believed that Nigeria’s problem is not restructuring but lack of good leadership.

The pioneer Chaplain of the Church of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, and the current Vice Chairman of Civil Consciousness Global Initiative (CCGI), Archbishop Awe explained that the problem of Nigeria is a lack of righteousness in government. “I suggest we don’t need to restructure because our problem now is not restructuring but quality leadership. Many are agitating for restructuring today because they have no privilege to enjoy good governance. If Nigeria should get a good leader today, all the agitations for restructuring will stop. Our challenge is that those who rule us have been too selfish and think of themselves alone”, he said.

“Over the years, Nigeria has unknowingly been restructured from three regions to 36 states but nothing has changed the cry for marginalisation. Right now, Nigeria is over-governed with people elected but doing nothing. They are only collecting money without anything to show, except their well-being and that of their immediate family members”, Awe lamented.

Speaking on the importance of good governance, Awe said, “Many believe if Nigeria is restructured today, things will be better. But people will be surprised and disappointed that after restructuring nothing will change because the same people in government will still be at the helm of affairs.”

“Many of our political leaders are from different parts of the county. Yet Nigeria has not changed, corruption is rising and the crime rate daily increases with insecurity alarming. If we are comfortable, nobody will care if the president is a Muslim or Christian. What we lack is good leadership”, he emphasised.

In his contribution, Pastor David Ololade said that Nigerians were doing well in many areas before colonialism brought religion into the system.

“Due to these factors, Africans began to die gradually. No nation or people grow and succeed without the contribution of their tradition, culture and languages.

“No country or nation ever succeeds without the combination of tradition, language and culture”, he declared.

“The moment your language is extinguished, it’s a matter of time, you will be wiped away from the surface of the earth and only exist in history”, Ololade warned.

“It is my conviction that African people have lost their traditions and there is a need to revive the rich tradition, culture and languages of such a country. What I do is, to go to churches to converse and advocate without idolatry”, he said.

In his remark, Prof Jonathan Akuns, a reputable scholar believed Nigeria’s foundational problem began with colonial rule before the people could decolonise themselves and became a federation without proper structure.

Prof Akuns noted that his region has witnessed neglect, especially of security to the extent that most farmers in Jos, Plateau State can no longer go to their farms or access their farm products due to insecurity.

He emphasised the need to restructure the present Nigeria setting.

Other activities at the conference include the presentation of awards to notable Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in areas of vanguard for humanity.

The Awardees are the Abia State Governor, Mr Alex Otti, the Senator representing Osun East, Sen. Ade Fadahunsi, Dr Femi Ferguson and the posthumous award for the late founder of Centre for Righteous Living, Rev. Solomon Adegbolagun.