Value of human life has collapsed in Nigeria — Pastor Sam Adeyemi

…urges national dialogue; warns against U.S. Intervention

By Efe Onodjae

Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has expressed concern over the wave of killings across the country, lamenting that Nigeria has lost its moral and spiritual sense of value for human life.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Daystar Christian Centre, themed ‘A Mosaic of Changed Lives,’ Adeyemi said the nation had become so unsafe that even his aged mother had been unable to visit their hometown in Kogi State for fear of kidnappers.

He said : “Our culture does not value human life. The powerful are very powerful, and the powerless are very powerless. We must move beyond success to significance and legacy.

“Our country has become so insecure that my own mother cannot travel to our hometown in Kogi State because of fear of kidnapping.That tells you how far we have fallen as a people in valuing human life.”

The cleric decried what he described as a disturbing national indifference to bloodshed and insecurity, noting that Nigerians were arguing over semantics instead of addressing the grim reality of lives being lost daily.

Accoding to him: “Christians have been killed in large numbers in our country. That cannot be contested because the evidence is everywhere on the internet, in pictures, and in reports. We should not be arguing whether to call it genocide or not. The issue is that human lives are being wasted.”

Adeyemi explained that the growing concern from the United States over the spate of killings was triggered by appeals and petitions sent by victims and rights groups who invoked America’s long-standing values on human rights and the sanctity of life.

He said :“America responded because of its declared values that all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, as Nigerians, must ask ourselves whether we truly value human life”.

However, the Daystar founder cautioned against any form of foreign intervention, warning that it could worsen the situation given the deep-rooted interests and influence of powerful individuals behind the crisis.

“Some of the people supporting the killing of Christians are powerful and wealthy. If America intervenes, it will be messy. At the end of the day, they will leave, and we will still have to sit down and have a discussion,” he cautioned.

Adeyemi therefore called for what he describes as a sincere national dialogue on restructuring and redefining Nigeria’s core values, urging the country’s elite to rise above selfish ambitions and work towards a just and equitable society.

He also urged citizens to hold leaders accountable, stressing that silence in the face of injustice only strengthens those who perpetuate oppression.

“As long as we keep silent, those who don’t mean well will continue to grow stronger in government. We must speak up and demand policies, infrastructure, and development that allow everyone to dream and fulfil their potential,” Adeyemi charged.

“Every human being is created in the image of God. Whatever you would not give to God, don’t give to another human being. Leadership means serving with excellence,” he said.

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