REVEREND Felix Omobude is the National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN and General Superintendent of New Covenant Gospel Church, Benin City. In this interview with journalists recently in Benin, he insisted that the Church has a vital role to playin the anti-corruption war of the present government. He also spoke on the abduction of 14-year Miss Ese Oruru and other national issues.GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE was there.Excerpts:How will you assess the anti-corruption war of the Muhammadu Buhari administration?Anyone that wishes Nigeria well must support the anti-corruption drive of the present administration. Corruption has dealt so much deadly blow to our nation, and every attempt aimed at fighting this deadly disease must be commended. We have a president who has not been accused by anybody in the media or in government, of being corrupt. So, the president is in a good position to start this fight againstcorruption. On the manner in which corruption isbeing fought, well those who are being accused have a right to deny or accept the allegations. That is why the law is supreme. The fight against corruption should be within the ambit ofthe laws of the land; and that is the stand of PFN.OmobudeWhat do you think PFN can do to support the anti-corruption campaign?We will give every logical, moral and spiritual support. The fight against corruption is a fight the Church must be involved in. It is high time we looked at ourselves and purge ourselves when necessary, and reposition ourselves to leadour people towards the right direction, towards making Nigeria better and greater.What do you think is the solution to this dismalstate of the Nigeria economy?Again, we have to find out what is the cause. Basically, the country has been a mono-economy for a longtime and there have been attempts to diversify it. I think it is high time Nigeria reallydiversified its economy. Agriculture would be anarea I think the government should examine. Secondly, technocrats and professionals should bebrought in to contribute their wealth of knowledge and technical knowhow so as to fashion out a solid economic blueprint that will encourage foreign direct investment flow into thecountry.About two years ago, over 200 school girls were abducted in Chibok and as we speak they are nowhere to be found. Specifically, how will you rate the security situation in Nigeria and theperformance of the security agencies?Well, I can tell you there is improvement. Prior to the coming of this administration the incidenceof bombings was very high, people were scared to worship in churches, people were afraid to goto the markets. I think to some extent that has significantly reduced. To the credit of this present administrat-ion; I believe they have done well to reduce the capacity of Boko Haram. Atleast, we are aware that some people have returned back to their places of origin. I believestrongly that there is still more that needs to be done. The abduction of the over 200 Chibokschoolgirls is some-thing that is still disheartening. No government can sleep over thatand expect that eyebrows will not be raised. I believe President Buhari is doing his best to ensure that the girls are released; and that the security situation improves.Former President Olusegun Obasanjo believes that the Chibok girls cannot be found. He is ofthe opinion that they might have been sold or taken to other countries. Sir, do you think the schoolgirls can still be found?I believe that former President Obasanjo has some insights than some of us. I believe that we should hope for the best, something will surely happen and revelations will be made on the situation of the schoolgirls, if they are alive or not? We are praying fervently for the best.Recently, the media was awash with the case ofa teenage girl that was abducted from Bayelsa and taken to Kano. Though the girl has been reunited with the family, but with pregnancy. What is your take on this?Certainly, I am happy that the girl has been reunited with her family, but you will know from what was reported that this case has beenon for some time. Why will it take so long? Who are the people that shielded this girl and helped the abductors? We are looking forward tothe police arraigning these people in the court oflaw; and whosoever aided them should be prosecuted. Again, let me say that people shouldnot use religion to tear this nation apart. Why will a 13-year-old girl be married? I was told that the Sharia court was involved. Common sense will tell you that for you to marry a girl;you need the consent of the parents. I do hope that the government and the law enforcement agencies will do the proper thing and not only get to the root of the matter but bring the perpetrators to book.A law is being proposed by the National Assembly for the allocation of land to cattle rearers to graze their cattle. Does this not portend serious security implicat-ions?The activities of these cattle rearers across the country are becoming very worrisome. I think it is time the government of the day comes up with a strong stand in curbing these senseless killings. While there have been suggestions that grazing land is found for them; to me that is not the best solution. The solution is helping these cattle rearers develop the business of cattle rearing by building ranches for them to rear their cattle. People eat beef in Europe, butyou do not see them parading their cattle on theroads or streets and invade other people’s farms. I think it is time we change; this change we talk about should affect all facets of our lives.Sir, on March 14 you will be 70, how do you feel at 70?Oh! God has been good to me. I thank God forall his grace; well I am sound in my body, spirit and soul. I will just continue to give Himthanks and look up to Him for the future.
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