Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has expressed worries over the rising profile of Nigeria’s external debts and the insecurity in the country. The death of one of its priests in the Diocese of Orlu, the Rev Emeka Merenu in the hands of IPOB militants was also among its concerns.
These concerns among others were raised at the Standing Committee meeting of the church which took place from Monday, September 20 to Friday, September 24.
The meeting, which was held at the Archbishop Adebola and Oluranti Resource Centre, Bariga Lagos was presided over by the Primate of the Church, The Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba. In attendance were 163 Bishops, 151 Clergy, and 97 lay delegates.
In a communique signed by the trio of Most Rev Ndukuba, The Ven. Dr Gershinen Paul Dajur, General Secretary and the Dean, The Most Rev Dr. Ali Buba Lamido, the Church described the insecurity in the country as worrisome.
Standing Committee communique
Communities affected by violence and issues of insecurity in various dimensions all over the country were also a source of concern for the church as it lamented the gruesome killing of one of its priests; Rev Merenu. It then called on the government to take actions that would restore confidence in the country.
The kidnapping of school children according to the Church “portends grave danger for the country. It decried the fragile state of the nation’s security due to religious extremism and terrorism.
The Church further expressed concern at the rate at which the government is borrowing thereby increasing the national debts profile. It urged the “government to exercise restraints in further borrowing so as not to jeopardise the future of all Nigerians.”
Anglican University of Technology coming
One other issue that bothered the Christian denomination was youth unemployment. To this end, it proposed an employment-friendly educational system while also disclosing plans to establish a University of Technology. This according to the church will help produce employable graduates.
The congregation praised the government for the infrastructural work being done in the country particularly the construction of the second Niger Bridge. It however expressed concern over the durability of some of the roads being constructed.
Christians were also encouraged to be involved in the 2023 electoral process while the National Assembly was admonished to revisit the issues of the Direct-Recording Electronic (DRE) voting system.
It observed that many are clamouring for self-determination because of varying forms of injustice.
To address the clamour for self-determination the church called for dialogue and inclusive governance
The denominational also called on the international community to prevail on the government of Afghanistan to respect the fundamental rights of the people while declaring its solidarity with Christians in the country
Guests at the event and the award
At the opening ceremony of the four-day meeting, Lagos Governor Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Rivers; Barr. Chief Nyesom Ezebunwor Wike and Ondo; Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa were present. The governor of Ogun State Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun was represented at the event by the Most Reverend Michael Fape, Archbishop of Lagos Province and Bishop of Remo.
The Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akinola Abayomi was also at the event. They were all recipients of the Primatial awards from the Church for their courageous and outstanding leadership.
Four Bishops from the Province of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) were in attendance. They were led by its Primate the Most Reverend Dr Foley Beach. He is also the Chairman of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON),
