Ifa religious worshippers under the aegis of Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council have said they are ready to assist Nigeria to combat the Boko Haram insurgents ravaging some states in the North-East.
The Chairman, Executive Working Committee of ARSADIC, Dr. Olalekan Ifagbenuola, said this on Friday at a press conference held at Ile Oduduwa, Ile Ife, to seek government recognition for the group.
Ifagbenuola stated that corruption among public office holders was the reason for the increasing rate of crimes in the country, saying this would stop if public office holders were made to take the oath of office in traditional religious ways.
He said, “If proper oath of allegiance is taken genuinely, our leaders would not misbehave when they get to power. If the oath is taken in a traditional religious way, they will not misbehave. There must be fear of God in anything we do.
“Corrupt leaders in offices promote crimes and if our leaders are honest, the level of crime in the country will greatly reduce. We are ready to assist to tackle insurgency, if we are invited by the government.”
He said that the problems confronting the nation should be tackle with seriousness because there could be no meaningful development in an atmosphere devoid of peace.
According to him, the umbrella body of the traditional religion worshippers was formerly known as Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants Association and was registered under companies ordinance in 1957.
He, however, stated that there had been a proliferation of traditional religion associations in Nigeria and all over the world but said the traditional worshippers had resolved to one formidable association.
Ifagbenuola described religion as an important instrument for development in any nation, saying successful nations, including China and South Africa, had given recognition to all notable religions.
“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria in this era of change to follow suit and give due recognition to the ancient religions. We must quickly state that Nigeria is a complex nation of diverse group of people and culture; therefore, there would be more than one ancient religion in existence,” he added.
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