Synod: Bishop Ikeakor presents report card, says Nigeria showcases indices, indexes of failed State

Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State has presented an account of its activities, projects and its views about government and governance as they affect the Nigerian masses.

Bishop of the Diocese, His Lordship Rt Revd Ephraim Ikeakor in his Presidential Address articulated these at Immanuel Anglican Church, Akwaihedi in Nnewi South to mark the second session of the sixth synod of the Diocese.

The synod with the theme, “Heathens In Church Uniform: An Urgent Call For Re-evangelization And Proper Discipleship Of Church Members, drawn from Ezekiel 8, John 4:21-30, 39-42, attracted Bishops and other clergy from far and near.

The Bishop in his address called for true discipleship by those who identified themselves as Christians and not one leg in the Church and the other leg in heathen practice.

Within the synod year under review, the Bishop disclosed that the Diocese embarked on some projects and procured some lands. This includes land for proposed College of Education.

He said: “To the glory of God, the Diocese has procured forty-nine plots of land at Utuh for the proposed College of Education of the Diocese. 

“The whole of these plots of land were bought by an indigene of Utuh, Chief Amobi who donated it to the Diocese. The land has been surveyed, and the land agreement signed, sealed, and delivered. 

“Fencing work has commenced at the site. We want to thank Chief Amobi for his magnanimity and benevolence. The Almighty God will not stop blessing him in the mighty name of Jesus Christ for this multiple millions of naira sacrificial donation, “the Bishop prayed.

The Bishop disclosed that on June 20, 2024 he was in the company of all Archdeacons and Venerables as they visited Isoke-Ndida Central School, Amichi to fulfill the promise of constructing and providing fifty desks for the pupils and the school. 

He recalled that it was a very wonderful occasion as both the teachers and pupils were very glad. The Bishop said he also gave 10kg bag of rice to the teachers in the school.

Other achievements, according to the Bishop, were spread across other areas in the Diocese. New episcopal house and episcopal guest house were not left out.

“As part of the preparation for the hosting of Church of Nigeria Standing Committee Meeting in February, 2026, the Diocese embarked on the building of a new Episcopal house, and new Episcopal Guest house. 

“The two projects are going on simultaneously and are seventy-five percent completed. We hope to dedicate them during the Standing Committee. The foundation stones were laid on June 7, 2025.

“St Luke’s Anglican Church, Obiagu, Amichi occupies a very special and strategic position in our mission work in the Diocese. As a result of this, and having seen the number of worshippers in the Church, Bishop unofficially took over the construction and building of the Church through the partnership of Wailing Women Prayer Summit attendees. 

“As at today the church has been roofed, plastered, and doors and windows installed. This is a multi-million naira project. We call on all lovers of God, and mission work to join hands with us to complete the church building within record time. The foundation stone was laid on Saturday 14th June 14, 2025 by the Bishop.

“Since the inception of the Diocese, the Bishopscourt has been getting water supply from Holy Child Convent, Amichi. This year it became obvious that the arrangement can no longer be sustained. 

“A new borehole has been drilled, and overhead water stanchion was constructed in the Bishopscourt for adequate and prompt water supply, because of the new Episcopal house, and Episcopal Guest house.

“In order to boost the ICT proficiency in our Schools, the Diocese procured additional sixty-six laptops for two schools. Holy Child Convent got thirty-one, while Master’s Vessel Seminary got thirty-five. The laptop costed about N32m. A benevolent member of our Diocese paid half of the total cost, while the Diocese paid the remaining half. The person begs to remain anonymous.

On the state of the nation, the Bishop noted that Nigeria is a country excessively blessed by God. 

He described Nigeria as one of the very few nations of the world where almost every mineral resource is deposited in large quantities. 

He said all other nations far below the nation’s natural resources capacity have positively applied the revenues accruing from their resources to the overall development of their countries. 

“Nigeria is the fifth largest oil producing country in the world. What have we to show for it?….. hunger, hardship, weaponization of hunger and poverty, mass unemployment, embarrassing number of out of school children, abysmal maternal mortality and morbidity, moribund health care system, and education system anchored on big certificates devoid of competence and productivity.

“Inflation rate keeps soaring high every day. Civil and public servants are paid slave-equivalent salaries and emoluments. Nigeria and Nigerians are bleeding to death on daily basis. But the most painful and regrettable side of our woes is, the insensitivity of our leaders, and politicians to the plight of Nigerians. 

“There are no practical, sustainable and impactful, or purposeful plans and policies by our leaders in tackling the hydra-headed monsters of poverty, insecurity, brain drain, technological backwardness, paucity or absence of infrastructural development, high profile corruption, and political nepotism. 

“The major concern of our leaders in 2025 is the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027. What a bundle of heartless, wicked, insensitive, and desperate politicians who comfortably feed on the tears, flesh, and blood of the poor, and impoverished Nigerians? 

“What are the convincing achievement templates responsible for this general endorsement? Our healthcare is in shambles. Our Judiciary has been bought and strangulated into willing tools in the hands of politicians. The Education sector and system is in the coven of comatose, non-competitiveness, and non-productivity. 

“Our legislature, and legislators have become irrational gavel of approval of every request from the President. It has become also a lagoon of conglomeration of corrupt former Governors, political office holders for the protection of their corrupt colleagues.

“Another area of grave concern to me is the consistent silence of Mr. President in the midst of almost daily mass killings and massacre of harmless innocent Nigerians by the Fulani herdsmen. Why is it impossible for President Tinubu to personally speak out, and give directive to the security agencies concerning the killings. 

“All you hear is that either the Presidency said, or the spokesman of the President said. Benue State is boiling, Zamfara, Borno, Enugu, Sokoto, Niger, Plateau, Anambra, Abia etc. are harvesting the blood unleashed by Fulani herdsmen, and nobody is doing anything.

“To my mind, Nigeria is showcasing all the indices and indexes of a failed State. Any nation where human dignity, and human life are not essential is as good as failed State. 

“Borrowing has become the second name of this administration. Nobody will be worried if we are borrowing for something meaningful, impactful, and productive. But when our leaders are borrowing for nothing, we have a very serious need to shout ‘there is fire on the mountain. Nigerians should not run, run, run, but act, act, act.!!!’

“I strongly believe that this country can be rescued, restored, and repositioned. These men holding Nigeria to ransom are not up to ten thousand in numbers. If over two hundred million Nigerians purposefully rise against these men and women through the ballot boxes and votes, they cannot overwhelm us. 

“We have no other country but Nigeria. For our youths who think that running out of the country is the answer, you are wrong. No matter what you become in another man’s land, you are still a slave in slave labour in that land. Even with Green card or Resident Permit, you are nothing but a glorified slave in the hands of selfish and unrepentant Westerners.

“Our youths should not be willing tools in the hands of wicked politicians. Nigeria has the potency, potentials, and resources to become an economic power in the world. Only our willingness, intentionality and sacrifice will make it happen. Let all of us think, and act quickly. 

“Tell me the rationality and purposefulness in renovating an International Conference Center with a whooping N39bn when our hospitals are collapsing, “the Bishop added.