The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, on Sunday expressed deep concern over the extensive looting of Nigeria’s resources, which he said has worsened poverty in the country. He emphasized that the lack of consequences for offenders has only emboldened corrupt individuals.
Primate Ndukuba, formerly the Bishop of the Gombe Diocese, shared these views during an interview following the 25th anniversary and the N500 million fundraising event for the Walter Miller College of Nursing and Midwifery in Kaltungo, Gombe State.
He highlighted the strong link between corruption and poverty, warning that the greatest insecurity facing Nigeria stems from the theft of public resources. The Primate called for a united effort from both the government and citizens to combat this pervasive issue.
“Ensuring security in Nigeria requires joint efforts from leadership, the government, and the people. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” Primate Ndukuba said. He stressed the importance of collaboration to promote peace, harmony, and coexistence across the country.
During his visit to Gombe, which he described as a historic moment, Primate Ndukuba praised the efforts of current and past state administrations, along with traditional and religious leaders, for fostering peace and creating an environment conducive to lawful business and communal coexistence. “Amidst the insecurity affecting Nigeria, Gombe stands as a place where people can rest peacefully,” he noted.
Regarding the Walter Miller College of Nursing and Midwifery, the Primate called for broad support, emphasizing the vision to address the shortage of healthcare personnel in the state and region. He recounted how the idea was conceived during a period when the North-East faced alarming maternal and infant mortality rates, urging cooperation between the Church and the government to improve community welfare.
“Our aim is for the college to nurture skilled and professional individuals who can serve not only the state but also the entire country and beyond, with dedication and the fear of God,” Primate Ndukuba said. He urged influential figures, religious bodies, and society’s elite to support the less privileged, stressing that efforts should focus on improving lives rather than flaunting wealth.
“Instead of parading our wealth through luxury cars and private jets, we should channel resources towards meeting the needs of the suffering,” he concluded.
