Stop hiding the health status of the president, PFN warned FG
PFN officials with Bishop Wale Oke at the conference
*Urged FG to stop payment of ransom to bandits
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has warned the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop hiding the President’s health status just as they expressed worry over the several medical trips of President Mohammadu Buhari calling on the federal government to disclose his full health status.
The body also called for caution on the covid-19 vaccine asking medical experts to make a definitive statement on it in the light of recent controversies.
The PFN made this known during a strategic press conference on recently at the fellowship national secretariat in Lagos.
President Buhari just returned from a two-week medical trip to the UK.
The press conference which had in attendance leaders of the fellowship including her president, Bishop Wale Oke held hours before Buhari came back to the country.
Bishop Oke who first addressed the conference said, ‘there is a need to know the health status of President Buhari so that we would know what to pray for ‘
He also asked the government to pay attention to the health facilities in the country.
According to Bishop Oke, the regular medical trips of the president is a security risk for the country. “We feel that the nation is not being told all the truth about the health status of Buhari. He is no longer a private citizen. Stop hiding the health status of the president.
‘We are concerned that whenever he needs a health check-up he goes out, That is a security risk. Does it mean he is safer in a foreign country? Why should our leaders be going out of the country on health issues?
‘Nigeria is blessed with medical experts that are very good but we are not creating enabling environment for them. The government should rise up and invest in our health care system.
‘Let’s pay attention to it and bring our medical health care system to world standard. To see our hospitals reduced to mere mortuary is unacceptable. We wish our president full recovery but we need to have full disclosure of his health status
The fellowship also called for caution in the administration of the covid-19 vaccine asking medical experts to make a definitive statement on it.
Dr. Cosmos Ilechuwku who spoke on behalf of the fellowship on the issue expressed worry over the discordant tunes on the vaccine.
His reaction was coming against the background of the call for the pause of the Johnson and Johnson covid-19 vaccine in the US.
He noted that many people are confused about the implications of the vaccine. ‘ we are asking the government to exercise caution in giving out the vaccine. People need to be continually educated on it. ‘ he said.
In another development, the body urged the federal government to stop paying ransom to bandits but rather should step up its efforts in providing security for Nigerians.
The body made the plea at a well-attended press conference on Thursday addressed by her president, Bishop Francis Wale Oke.
The conference which held at the National Secretariat of the fellowship in Lagos had in attendance PFN national executive members including her National Deputy President, Archbishop John Praise, National Secretary Dr. Cosmos Ilechukwu, National Financial Director, Rev Samuel Aboyeji, Bishop Mom Igbinosa, and Bishop Emma Gospel Isong, the National Publicity Secretary. So many other top church leaders from across the country were also present at the meeting.
Bishop Oke said in his address that, rather than negotiate with bandits, the government should negotiate with the youths of the country and find a way of meeting their needs and solving their challenges.
He said, ‘I want to charge the newly appointed security chiefs to walk the talk. Bring your skill and training to bear. Negotiating with bandits is an admission of failure.
“They are to be made to face the full force of the law. Negotiating with them is not acceptable. It is an admission of failure. The government can rise up to the occasion and bring the full weight of justice to bear on them.
‘Government should negotiate with the youths and not bandits. We have insecurity all over the place. Young people that are productive deserve government attention, not bandits. Nigerians already paid ransom by voting president Mohamadu Buhari. His job is to provide security for the nation.’ he stressed.
While congratulating Muslims on the Ramadan fast, Bishop Oke urged leaders of the Islamic faith to pray for the peace and security of Nigeria.
He stated, ‘we want to congratulate the Muslim family on the Ramadan fast. We believe in prayers and we want them to pray for our nation. They have told us Islam is a religion of peace. We do not dispute that. We want the leaders to prove this not only in words but in action. Boko haram is using Islam to perpetrate wickedness. They should be called to order.’
The PFN leader expressed the willingness of the body to partner with Muslims in building a peaceful nation. ‘Let us cooperate to end banditry and also end Boko haram menace.’ he pleaded.
He added, ‘They should join us in praying for peace. Everybody should be concerned about the security situation of the nation. It was confined to the northeast now it is all over the country.’
He also expressed. concern about the nation’s economy noting that the naira is in a free fall.
‘We are also concerned about the economy. The value of the naira has fallen drastically. The economy is battered.
‘We heard the government is attempting to print more money to shore the economy. That is unfortunate if it is true. The government should rather create jobs. It should limit importation.
‘Let’s produce the food we eat. The government should strengthen local manufacturers so they could produce what we consume. That is the way we can grow the economy.’
Earlier at the conference, he thanked the media for their role in nation-building saying ‘ we see the press as partners in nation-building. We acknowledge the role of the press in exposing corruption and evil in our society. We pray that the Lord will continue to prosper you’
Source: Church Times
