Former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has challenged Nigerian churches to take a hands-on role in youth empowerment and community development.
Obi said the Church cannot just preach, but it must act, to save the future of Nigeria.
Speaking at the Fourth Enugu Catholic Diocesan Synod, Obi said, “Our nation cannot progress when moral decay and a declining sense of responsibility continue unchecked.”
Obi painted a grim picture of Nigeria today: valuelessness, moral decay, rising rascality, and weakening ethics, even among professors.
“Shortcuts are celebrated. Dishonesty is rewarded. Integrity is sidelined,” he said.
The former governor urged the Church to reclaim its role as the moral compass of society. Practical action, he said, is key: skills training, mentorship, community projects, and consistent engagement.
“Character, not corruption, must be the foundation for progress,” Obi said. He stressed that Nigeria’s problems do not come from ignorance but from a refusal to embrace the right values and practices.
Obi added, “By moving from the pulpit to the people, the Church can inspire a new generation and lead Nigeria’s moral and social renewal.”
