Archbishop Obinna worries over kidnapping, robbery, poor economy

By Chidi NkwoparaOWERRI—An appeal has goneto the federal and state governments to quickly address the prevailing harsh economic environment and the serious crimes facing the citizenry.The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, who made the appeal Sunday, while  preaching at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Owerri,  also opined that the economic climate is harsh forcomfort.“The economic climate is very harsh on Nigerians, but itshould not lead us into committing all manner of crimes”, Archbishop Obinna said.While urging Nigerians to avoid covetousness, the cleric also reasoned that the unbridled craze for quick money leads to all manner of damnable acts like armed robbery, kidnapping, cheating,prostitution and economic crimes against the nation.“Kidnapping and ritual murderare still with us till today. It was the the same case of ritual murder that fuelled the Otokoto uprising in Owerri.”He urged Christians to alwaysremember that “enemies around us are religiously committed to derailing our quest for spirituality, love for our neighbours and economicviability of the country and it’scitizens.”Archbishop Obinna used the opportunity to debunk the rumour in Imo State that he has teamed up with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Douglas Road refuse politics.“I am not a card carrying member of any political party.God bless all those that helped in clearing the huge Douglas Road refuse,” Obinnasaid.