Judaism Fellowship Initiative Wants Better Security For prosperous Nigeria
The Jewish Community in Nigeria has called on the federal and state governments to protect the lives and property of citizens irrespective of tribe or religion.
Chief Arthur-Regis Odidika, President of the Jewish Community in Nigeria made the call in Awka on Sunday while speaking on the planned visit of Clive Lawton, the Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Jewish Council to Nigeria in November.
Odidika who is the Vice President of Commonwealth Jewish Council Africa (Nigeria) said no country could conquer poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in an atmosphere of tension and insecurity.
He said the Federal Government and security agencies should ensure a safe environment everywhere so that people could practice their religion and engage in legitimate businesses without fear.
According to him, Nigeria is a secular state, even though Christianity and Islam are more dominant religions, there are others including Judaism and African religions, all these groups should be protected to practice freely.
“We are worried about the insecurity in Nigeria, it is affecting everybody irrespective of ethnicity and religion, and most unfortunately it is affecting economic activities especially food production and investor confidence.
“The Jewish Community of Nigeria under the auspices of Judaism Fellowship Initiative (JFI) wants to see a Nigeria that is peaceful, prosperous, secure and driven by rule of law.
“That is why we are calling on government at all levels to deploy the best of kinetic and non kinetic strategies where necessary to fight insecurity,” he said.
On the planned visit of the CEO of the Commonwealth Jewish Council to Nigeria, Odidika said the community in Nigeria is looking forward to receiving the leader of Jews in 35 member Commonwealth countries.
He said the Commonwealth Jewish Council which was founded 30 years ago was to support the development of Commonwealth Jewish communities and to sustain a network between them for mutual support as well as aid in advocacy on their behalf when required.
“The visit is also in line with the mandate of CJC to encourage member country Jewish communities in their efforts to contribute to the wider society in which they live.
“The CEO will also visit our communities in Cameroon and Ghana during the tour of Africa,” he said.
