The serving overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has expressed his desire for better cooperation between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions.
Bakare shared this view on Wednesday following a private visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the president’s Lagos residence.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Pastor Bakare spoke briefly about the nature of their conversation, noting that it revolved around matters important to Nigeria’s growth and overall direction. While he did not go into the specific details of their discussion, he made it clear that the purpose was national progress.
“It’s not about just reservations. It’s about how the country will go well,” he said.
Bakare added that his long-term dream is to see Nigeria become a well-functioning nation during his lifetime. He said he trusted President Tinubu to consider the points they discussed.
“My personal vision is to see a nation that works in my lifetime, and those things I’ve discussed with Mr President, they’re not hidden things,” Bakare explained. “But I’ve learned that when you discuss with the person in charge, you leave it with him to do whatsoever he wills with what you have suggested.”
The pastor noted that he was warmly welcomed by President Tinubu and believes that the meeting was a step in the right direction. He said he hopes the ideas shared will help bring about real change in the country.
Looking ahead, Bakare said he envisions a united Nigeria where citizens support one another regardless of region or background.
“I’d like to see Nigerians being their brother’s keeper. I like to see good collaboration between the best of the north and the best of the south to steer Nigeria in the right direction. I’d like to see predictable progress in our nation,” he stated.
He added that the country has spent too much time discussing the same issues without taking action, and that the time has come to focus on real solutions that will improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“We have danced around some subjects for too long a time; it’s time to take concrete action to ensure that the masses of our country do not live in abject poverty, that’s all,” Bakare concluded.
