He noted that the inability of the authorities to punish perpetrators has emboldened perpetrators.

Ndukuba, who was a former Bishop of the Gombe Diocese, said this in an interview with journalists shortly after the 25th anniversary and launching of N500m Walter Miller College of Nursing and Midwifery, in Kaltungo, Gombe State.

The Primate noted that there is a nexus between poverty and corruption, stressing that the greatest insecurity in Nigeria stems from the theft of collective resources.

“Nigeria is a blessed country. In fact, what we have is enough to go round, but then you see a man in his senses stealing billions of naira and nothing is done; he gets away with it.

“This is where people who are blessed in privileged positions use the opportunity they have to loot the treasury.

“Corruption is the greatest insecurity in Nigeria. Until we kill corruption, Nigeria will not enjoy the prosperity that God has given it and until we deal with wickedness, there will be no peace, because without justice we can’t get peace,” he said.

Ndukuba added that the government and citizens must collaborate in the quest to tackle the hydra-headed monster.

“Not only maintaining security in Nigeria, there is a need for the leadership, both government and the people, to work together, because security is the business of all of us.

“We need to work together to maintain peace and harmony and promote those factors that will ensure peaceful co-existence and security in Nigeria.”

Ndukuba described his visit to Gombe as historic, lauding the effort of the current and successive governments of the state.

He said, “This is coming home and it’s so lovely to step on the grounds of Gombe and we thank God for the great things that the Lord is doing.

“What the Lord is doing through the governor and the leaders of Gombe State is marvellous.

“We doff our hats to the emirs and all the leaders because the wonderful thing in Gombe is that the government, traditional, and religious leaders are working together to see that we maintain peace and create an atmosphere that is suitable for people to do their legal and legitimate businesses.

“With all that is happening in terms of insecurity in Nigeria, this is one of those states where people can close their eyes and sleep,” he said.

On the Walter Miller College of Nursing and Midwifery, Kaltungo, the Primate appealed for support, adding that the vision was to bridge the gap in health personnel in the state and region.

“By the time the Lord gave us the vision to establish the college of nursing and midwifery, the North-East where we served was one of the most dangerous places to give birth because the infant mortality was high and women who died while giving birth was high.

“We thought of one thing the church must do in working with the government to take care of the people, because the government may not do everything.

“So the church and religious organisations must partner with the government to provide for the people. That was how we came up with this vision,” he added.

He said the Anglican Church desired the college to raise people from the grassroots who would be qualified to work not only in the state but also in Nigeria and any part of the world.

“We call on the government and all the agencies that can help us to ensure that the college comes into full operation so that Gombe and the North-East will have a place to train, not only skillfully, but professionally with the fear of God,” he said.

He called on the influential in the state and Nigeria, including religious organisations, to help the poor and meet the needs of the people.

“Our people are suffering, so we can’t afford to close our eyes. Let the rich, and the privileged in society rise to help.

“Let the religious organisations help. Instead of showcasing our wealth, driving big cars and flying in private jets, we should turn to the needs of the people. The best thing to do is to sow in the lives of the people,” he said.