Nigeria At A Crossroads - Ademowo, Fashola

Babatunde Fashola

LAGOS State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Monday, stated that Nigeria is at a crossroads, adding that the socio-economic problems confronting the nation today has placed much challenges on the doorsteps of Nigerian judges.

"Our country is at a great crossroads facing enormous challenges that put to test our self governance and democracy."

Governor Fashola stated this at the Lagos Central Mosque during special mosque services to commence the 2012/2013 legal year.

According to him, the roles of the judiciary among the three arms of government could not be overemphasised as they cut across all endeavours.

He said law regulates the society, especially when the country was faced with issues of security and economic development, adding that, law regulates man and guarantees his properties.

"Man makes laws to cater for national security, to protect man and secure his property, so our success depends on the success of the judiciary. In Nigeria, road traffic constitutes a challenge to our socio-economic development. If there is traffic problem, a worker will not be able to get to his work place on time. If he stays unduly long in traffic, it will affect his health.

"You should give your judgment and do justice and ensure that nobody is unjustly punished. You are economic engineers, how quickly justice is dispensed with will definitely lead to several developments,” he said.

The Bishop of Lagos and Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, The Most Reverend Adebola Ademowo, at the church service held at the oldest Cathedral in Nigeria, the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina stated that the country was deteriorating and on a downward slope.

According to him, there is so much lawlessness in the country and this does not augur well.

"Nigeria is deteriorating in standard. There is danger everywhere and there is nowhere that is safe in the country, there is no respect for human lives again. Nigeria was not like this before," he said.

.........Written by Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare and Akeem Nafiu, Lagos, Nigerian Tribune, Tuesday, September 18, 2012