Nigeria Desperately Needs New Direction Amid Rising Insecurity, Moral Decline — Former President Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that Nigeria is in desperate need of a new direction as insecurity, violence, and moral decline continue to worsen across the country.
Jonathan made the remark on Saturday during the first session of the 13th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Abuja, where he called for national reflection, responsible leadership, and a restoration of moral values.
Speaking at the gathering, the former president expressed concern over what he described as the growing normalisation of killings, destruction, and bloodshed in Nigeria.
He lamented that many Nigerians now react to tragic incidents with indifference, unlike in previous years when such occurrences sparked outrage and collective grief nationwide.
According to Jonathan, the increasing acceptance of violence and insecurity shows that the country urgently requires moral direction and spiritual guidance.
“Who has spent many years in public life and politics, I must confess that moments like this provide an opportunity for sober reflection on the state of our society,” Jonathan said.
“When we look around today, particularly at the challenges confronting our country, it is easy to become discouraged. Violence, insecurity, moral decline, and the loss of human values have become deeply troubling realities.”
The former president stated that the destruction of communities and continuous loss of innocent lives should never become normal in any society, warning that the situation reflects a dangerous erosion of compassion and national conscience.
“What is even more painful is how society sometimes appears to normalise these tragedies as though they are ordinary occurrences. In times past, such incidents would shake the conscience of the nation.
“Today, people are killed, communities are destroyed, and life seems to continue as though nothing has happened. This ought not to be so. It is a reminder that society desperately needs moral direction, spiritual guidance, and a restoration of values,” he added.
Jonathan also stressed the importance of the Church in nation-building, noting that religious institutions must continue to defend truth, justice, and righteousness amid growing moral pressure in society.
He warned that while technology and modern information systems have created opportunities for development, they have also contributed to the spread of negative values and harmful behaviour.
“That is why the role of the Church remains indispensable. The Church must continue to stand as the conscience of society, speaking truth, defending righteousness, and shaping lives through faith and godly example,” he said.
“The influence of modern technology and information systems, though beneficial in many ways, has also contributed to the spread of negative values where wrong is sometimes celebrated more than good. This is not the future we should desire for our children and generations yet unborn.”
Jonathan further emphasised the importance of leadership during periods of national uncertainty, urging Nigerians to continue praying for leaders while promoting peace, justice, accountability, and national renewal.
“Permit me to also say that leadership matters greatly in moments like this. Society progresses when men and women of integrity, courage, and vision stand in the right places and speak the truth. We must continue to pray for our leaders, encourage one another, and work collectively for peace, justice, and national renewal,” Jonathan stated.
Also speaking at the synod, former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Peter Akinola described the conference as symbolic and significant, especially at a time when the global Anglican Communion is confronting what he called a “revisionist agenda.”
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Akinola noted that the conference had continued to make a lasting impact within the Anglican community and said foreign delegates who attended the event left Nigeria with a more positive impression of the country despite negative portrayals by sections of the foreign media.
“It is evident that our foreign delegates departed with a far better impression of Nigeria, contrary to the negative narratives often projected by sections of the foreign media about our beloved nation,” he said.
“I remain proud of this achievement and urge you all to keep up the good fight of faith.”
