In view of the prevailing challenge of unity across the country, clergy men want the government to be more pro-active in order to save the country from disintegration. Writes OKEY CHRIS.
The Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt Reverend Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim and a host of other bishops have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to act fast and save Nigeria from disintegrating. Ibezim, in particular, said the president can do this by creating true federalism where everyone will freely work for national growth.
The clergy, who stated this while presenting a charge at the 3rd session of the 11th Synod at St Jude’s Anglican Church Adazi Ani in Anaocha LGA of Anambra state, decried the incessant attack by herdsmen on lives and property.
According to him, “More than 100 years after the birth of modern day Nigeria, there can be no credible denial of its tottering steps to true nationhood. The gloomy signs are there for the blind to see. Despite the challenges we are facing, we strongly appeal to Nigerians to be positive and prayerful about our nation. An average American wakes up in the morning and says, ‘God bless America’ and surely God is blessing America. It is only through this way that citizens can develop the right attitude that supports national development.
“On the part of our government, President Muhammadu Buhari is called upon to act very fast to save Nigeria from disintegration. The level of bloodshed in our country is very high with insecurity of lives and property, killing, kidnapping and assassinations here and there. Majority of the populace are very hungry due to economic difficulties. The judiciary and other arms of the government seem to be under ridicule.
“We call upon the president to bring the country together in order to create true federalism where everyone will freely participate and work towards national growth. A situation where everything revolves around the centre in Nigeria makes things not to be working.
The immediate reorganisation of the administrative structure and machinery of governance will save Nigeria from impending collapse. The surest means to achieve this is for the president to actualise in concrete terms all his electoral promises within the shortest possible time. This, we believe, will give everyone a sense of belonging.”
He also condemned the Xenophobic attacks in South Africa which has not only become a recurring incidence but has resisted any solution, pointing out that the South African authorities have lost the capacity to contain the violence.
Coming closer home, he reminded Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, that security matter needs to be addressed more because of occasional robberies and kidnapping which, according to him, is on the rise. He also decried the incessant attacks by herdsmen who destroy people’s means of livelihood, saying that the menace should be arrested.
On the theme of the synod which is on ‘Victory that has Overcome the World even our Faith’, Bishop Ibezim said, “Considering the near hopeless situation in today’s Nigeria, one will see the promise of the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith as essential in providing us ways to be confident of victory both in this temporal life and most importantly in the life to come.
“Such promise gives hope to the already despondent people battling with the question of existentialism both as individuals and as a nation especially with the increasing certainty that the end of this cosmos life is at hand. For instance, bribery and corruption stinks to high heavens and this adversely affects our socio-political, religious and economic lives. Most worrisome is that the church that is supposed to save this decaying world seems to have gone into the world and got lost, swallowed by greed, materialism and has become the temple for mammon. It is, therefore, not an overstatement to declare that both Christians and non-Christians are in dare need of this victory that overcomes the world’’.
He used the occasion to announced the promotion of nine priests to Archdeacons and Canons including four Archdeacons- Venerable Rex Kanu; Venerable Christian Chinwuko; Venerable Nehemiah Ugoagu and Venerable Goodness Amaechi while five Canons were: Canon Samuel Ezunu; Canon Bonny Ogaraku; Canon Nnamdi Ajaoku, Canon Ndubuisi Ahanonu and Canon Tim Okwuchineke.
In an interview, the dean, Church of Nigeria and Archbishop of Kaduna Province, the Most Reverend Ali Buba Lamido, lauded Bishop Ibezim for producing over three new PhD priests, noting that attracting over 50 Bishops to his synod speaks volume of his episcopacy.
On his part, the Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of Esan Diocese, Most Reverend Friday John Imaekhai, lamented that Nigerians don’t have faith the government of the day. They decried the blood-letting in the country brought about by herdsmen and bandits which go on without check.
Also contributing, the Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Province, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, warned the proponents of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop creating confusion in the polity with their call for a sit at home on 29th of May, 2019, saying the time for that is over.
Archbishop Chukwuma insisted that the sit at home is now irrelevant because elections are over with governors and the president elected, saying everyone should give them the support and pray for them to embark on true governance.
He said the sit at home should not be obeyed because it is self-centered and therefore urged all to rally for good governance not violence, adding that Ndigbo should work hard together to salvage the nation by speaking with one voice rather than join those causing confusion.
The Archdeacon in-charge of Adazi Ani Archdeaconry, Venerable Christian Okafor described the Synod theme as apt and thanked everybody who God used to make the synod successful.
Archbishop Chukwuma condemned bandits and herdsmen killing in strong terms, noting that it is inhuman and savagery to waste lives the way it has turned up in Nigeria under President Buhari. He, therefore, called on the Service Chiefs to wake up to their responsibility or resign as they have failed Nigerians.
On Ngige, Archbishop Chukwuma restated that Senator Chris Ngige did what the federal government asked him to do therefore he said the NLC should stop creating confusion and render an unreserved apology to the minister or they may lose their relevance.
