• Condemns Recent Hike In School Fees, Especially Government Institutions
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has lamented the worsening insecurity in the country and called on the government at all levels to stand up to their primary responsibilities of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians. The church, in a communiqué issued and signed by its General Secretary, Ven. Gershmen Paul Dajur, Dean of the church, Most Rev’d Blessing Enyindah and Primate of the church, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba at the end of its 14th General Synod held at St. Mark’s Church, Nnewichi, Nnewi, Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra State from September 12 to 16, 2023, noted that insecurity is haunting the nation. He added that Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen militia, bandits and the so-called unknown gunmen have continued to unleash terror in different parts of the country.
The Synod stressed that these criminals have chased away people living in some communities, while in some cases government security agents have compromised their stand.
The Synod said: “Hundreds of lives have been lost in the brutality acts, which have left many victims. Some of our church members have been victims of abduction and killing. Kidnapping for ransom is on the increase such that nowhere seems safe. Highways, homes, and even the sacred precincts of worshipping centres are not spared. We condole with all the bereaved and pray for the eternal repose of the deceased.” It also enjoined Nigerians to strengthen security measures in their homes/institutions as well as remain law-abiding, vigilant, and shun all forms of violence and criminality.”
On state of the economy and its effects on Nigerians, the church noted that the crumbling national economy had continued to make life difficult and unbearable for the people, adding that, “as the value of the naira continues to decline, the high cost of goods and services have continued to soar. The sudden removal of oil subsidy without putting in place adequate measures to cushion the effect of oil subsidy removal has added to the ordeal, hunger, anger, and frustration of the people.”
Calling on the government to make all refineries work, the Synod said: “As a result of high unemployment and hard-biting economic conditions, many Nigerians wallow in abject poverty, and many either flee to other countries in search of a better living conditions or resort to crime, while others beg to survive. This situation is further compounded by the growing debt burden that is mortgaging our future and that of upcoming generations.”
The church urged the Federal Government and its relevant agencies to take definite and realistic measures to ameliorate the pains and suffering of the people, stressing that government at all levels should provide an enabling environment for both the government and private sector to create more jobs for Nigerians.
The synod also observed with dismay the current exodus of Nigeria’s young professionals who are leaving the country in search of greener pastures abroad. It puts the blamed on the political, economic and security situations in the country.
The Synod said: “This perception must be changed such that those who desire to go out of Nigeria will do so by choice and not because they feel constrained. This problem of brain drain and depopulation of the most productive workforce needs to be thoroughly addressed and reversed.
“The role of government is to guarantee the minimum conditions that make human rights and justice possible. Good governance ensures protection of the rights to life, human dignity, liberty, and fair hearing, among others. Despite the many failures of our leaders to ensure good governance, we still nurture and sustain the hope of a democracy that will usher in a renewed era of social justice, equity, peace, and prosperity. These fundamental rights are further enhanced in the rights that are enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria, such as the rights to health, education, basic amenities, et cetera. Unfortunately, these rights are not justiciable, thereby leaving the enjoyment of these rights to the whims and caprices of the people in power.”
The Synod called on the judiciary to remain steadfast in upholding justice, equity and fairness and abhor any act that will put the judiciary to question.
The Synod also condemned the recent hike in school fees, especially in government institutions, adding that the move has the potential to deny the masses access to good and affordable education.
The Synod said that the move may have been out of good intentions to recover the fallen standard of education, but was wrongly timed, given the harsh economic conditions unleashed by the sudden removal of subsidy. To this end, the Synod called on the government institutions to return to the status quo in view of the present harsh economy.
The Synod admonished government to uphold the cherished federal character policy as enshrined in the constitution to reduce tension in the polity. It also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be fair and just in the appointments and location of infrastructure to guarantee inclusiveness in nation building.”
The Synod also called for a review of the1999 Constitution as amended to reflect the aspirations and values of all Nigerians and their culture. It said that the way forward is to revisit the recommendation of the National Conference of 2014.
In its goodwill message, the Synod congratulated Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his inauguration as the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as the elected governors and their deputies and members of the National and State Assemblies. The Synod called on them, not to disappoint the people.
This year’s synod with theme: “Arise And Build: God’s Mandate For God’s People In A Broken World,” was taken from Nehemiah 2:17-18. It was presided over by the Primate of the Church, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, and his wife, Angela, who presided over the Mothers’ Union Executives.
In attendance were 155 Archbishops and Bishops, 187 clergy, 453 laity and 298 members of the Mothers’ Union Executives. Others included representative of the Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa, Rt. Rev’d Thomas Elango Dibo, Bishop of Cameroon; Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo and his deputy, Sir Onyeka Ibezim; among others.
The Synod examined the book of Nehemiah and the role Nehemiah played as pragmatic leader and called on church leaders and Christians to emulate Nehemiah and be ready to do the right thing, especially as it concerns God, the less privileged, corruption and injustice in the land.
