IJEBU-JESA/Nigeria: The Bishop of Ijesa North Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Isaac Oluyamo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt more decisive and far-reaching strategies to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, warning that incremental responses can no longer guarantee the safety of citizens.
Oluyamo made the call on Sunday during the 2026 New Year Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, where he spoke before a congregation that included the Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, and other prominent community leaders.
While acknowledging that the current administration has shown visible commitment to tackling insecurity, the Bishop stressed that the outcomes so far fall short of the “total eradication” required to restore public confidence. He said Nigerians remain exposed to fear and uncertainty, particularly on highways and in farming communities.
“The people are weary,” Oluyamo declared. “To re-instill the confidence and trust that have been eroded, the government must move from mitigation to eradication. Our farms must be safe, our roads must be secure, and the Nigerian child must sleep without the sound of gunfire.”
He cited the persistent threats of kidnapping and banditry as dominant forces of fear across the country, insisting that genuine national security remains the foundation for economic recovery and the emotional well-being of the citizenry.
Reflecting on the spiritual theme for the year, drawn from Isaiah 58:11, the Bishop described 2026 as a “Season of Restoration,” but cautioned that divine blessings are inseparable from justice, compassion and selflessness. He challenged affluent Nigerians to care for the hungry and afflicted, noting that God’s light shines most on those who “pour themselves out” for others.
The cleric also issued a strong admonition to the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, calling for the protection of the sanctity of the ballot and strict non-partisanship by security personnel.
“Let the choice of the people stand,” he warned, charging security agencies to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism and what he described as the “fear of God.”
The thanksgiving service, attended by the Baba Ijo, Chief Samuel Olasupo Onajide, and several diocesan chiefs, ended with prayers for enduring peace in Osun State and a prophetic declaration that Nigeria would “move from drought into a garden of plenty.”
