AFRICA/NIGERIA-Appeal from the President of the Episcopal Conference to the Head of State asking him to nominate Ministers who are worthy of the task

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Goodluck Jonathan is the President of all Nigerians, not just a part of them, and has to avoid appointing Ministers who are not worthy of the task. This is the request expressed by His Exc. Mgr. Felix Alaba Adeosin Job, Archbishop of Ibadan and President of the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria, in an interview with Catholic News Service of Nigeria, the news organization sponsored by the Episcopal Conference. On Sunday, May 29, Jonathan will take the oath as head of state after being re-elected in presidential elections on April 16. The elections were marred by violence in some areas of the country, even if everything was conducted regularly by the Nigerian and international election observers.
After pointing out that the Nigerian people voted him "as personal recognition" and not because the leader of his party, Mgr.Job reminded the Head of State that "as President of the nation, he must be selective, let us say it clearly: those who do not have a credible past should not take a position of responsibility in government. In the history of Nigeria – Mgr.Job explained- we have seen how men and women were put on trial and brought before the courts as criminals, and were then called to lead our Ministries. "The President of the Episcopal Conference denounced practices of nepotism where the government becomes a family affair, widespread corruption, climate of violence and the lack of prospects for young people. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 05/27/2011)