SECURE NIGERIANS, REBUILD CONFIDENCE, STUDY CAUSES OF AGITATIONS, ANGLICAN CHURCH TELLS FG

By Alex Uzoigwe

As levels of security, social and economic conditions of Nigerians seem to be on a fast progressive decline, the Anglican Church, apparently worried by the trend, has challenged the Federal Government to quickly arrest the situation by rebuilding the confidence of Nigerians and securing their lives and properties.

The church had also, while expressing grave indignation over spates of agitations rocking various sections of the nation in recent years, advised the government to dutifully ascertain the causes of such restiveness and get them pacified.

Baring her mind on the current state of the nation, the Anglican Diocese on the Niger, Anambra State, had in her Presidential Address during her 2023 Synod, described the present state of the nation as “very unacceptable”.

Delivering the 95-page presidential address today, Friday, June 9, 2023, at St John’s Anglican Church, Fegge, Onitsha, venue for the Synod, the Diocesan, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, regretted what he said Nigerians had suffered since some years ago.
According to the bishop, “These few past years, insecurity, hardships, employment, hunger and sickness have so affected the psyche of most Nigerians that some may have unfortunately lost hope both in themselves and in any other thing”.
Sketching a probable pathetic condition of the nation, the bishop said, “The Synod, from all indications, presumes the country as one emerging from war with millions of bleeding citizens and devastated landscape, devastated economy, devastated educational system and with totally disorganized sociopolitical system”.

In a seemingly unwaivering stance, the prelate listed what he said Nigerians needed from the government, stressing, “Without equivocations, we therefore call on the Federal Government to consciously restore, without further delay, the confidence of Nigerians. She should, as a matter of national commitment rebuild the entire country without political, religious or tribal sentiments.

“We expect an egalitarian society built on the rule of law, natural justice, equity and good conscience. We earnestly expect a stronger economy which currencies have strong bargaining power. Nigerians expect effective educational system, provision of quality and maintenance of public facilities and above all, we need adequate protection of lives and property of Nigerians anywhere in the country”, Bishop Nwokolo emphasised.
The presidential address which theme was “Feed My Lambs”, stressed the need for christians to cultivate the spirit of lamb feeding, explaining that the injunction by Jesus Christ was rather a command which he said should be obeyed.

The bishop was optimistic that the task was feasible, saying, “We can do this by consciously reaching out to the Lord’s lambs and sheep.

May we therefore, now go out seeking for them. The lambs and the sheep are ever around us: they are in the compounds where we live, in our villages, in the towns, and in the very places of our work and businesses”.
The event attracted over 15,000 Anglicans and non members with more than 12 Anglican bishop in attendance.