Nigeria runs government of hijackers, says Bishop Ikeakor
The Anglican Bishop of Amichi diocese, Rt Rev Ephraim Ikeakor has described the President Bola Tinubu’s new administration as governement of the highjackers, by the highjackers and for the highjackers, as he presented success stories of the diocese.
Bishop Ikeakor gave the description at St Philip’s Church Eziama, Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State at a press briefing to herald the 5th synod of the diocese coming up on June 8.
He said he had equally lost confidence in the judiciary, citing cases in the past that made him lose his confidence.
“We elected our own choice but they imposed on us their own choice (apparently referring to the INEC). Talking about this is discussing illegality and illegitimacy. We are battling a lot of things, ” he noted.
On the activities and projects of the diocese, the Bishop said there had been spiritual programmes organized in the diocese within the synod year that had increased the spiritual and moral standard of the members.
Such programmes, according to him, include the diocesan monthly “Prayer Breakfast” to start every month with God; “Night of Evidence”; “First Born’s Night; “Wailing Women Prayer Summit”, among others to bring up the spiritual life of the people.
He said that the diocese took a decision last year to have another hostel for its College of Nursing Science and School of Midwifery. He said this led to the construction of a 3-storey building which was completed and dedicated last month.
He said the diocese had acquired 32-seater coaster bus for the higher institutions and also secured accreditation for the School of Nursing.
The Bishop disclosed that the diocese had equally acquired a lot of equipment to degitalize its education system especially the College of Nursing Science and School of Midwifery.
Others are solar power; street light; best modern eye equipment, digitalized x-rays department; four dialysis machines fully installed and lots more.
“Ours is one of the best College of Nursing Sciences in Nigeria. We are doing everything possible to give the best and we have zero tolerance for examination malpractice. We do computer-based examination,” the Bishop said.
He further disclosed that the National Board for Technical Education had commended the diocese in its efforts to have one of the best, adding that the higher institutions would soon begin to award Higher National Diploma (HND) to afford graduands the opportunity to go for National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme like the products of other higher institutions.
He said that many are ready to support what the diocese was doing but were only restrained by the economic situation in Nigeria.
“God has blessed the diocese with many who are financially viable but some of them are not interested and not forthcoming.
“We’re in a rural setting and people are not locating to Amichi because there’s no governement presence here. We have the only Microfinance Bank, School of Nursing. We have spent six months without electricity supply here. I paid N2.6milion to restore light, ” he said.
On the controversial pump price increase of petroleum products, the Bishop said there was no reason to have oil subsidy in Nigeria, but added that there were things governement should put on ground before removing the subsidy.
“Are you upgrading the salaries of the civil servants? You should provide transport means, buses sponsored by the government at a low fare to be taking people to and fro their destinations.
“Did you discuss with the critical stakeholders before you come up with that policy? And the manner it was said in the inaugural speech was wrong. You can’t just say ‘oh, subsidy is removed’, is that how a President should talk? That is wrong, ” he said.
