The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, has urged the incoming administration at all level to look critically into the National issues which he categorized into nine points.
He stated these in his presidential address delivered during the first session of the 12th synod of Abuja Diocese with the theme: “Synodality: The Transforming Journey with Jesus Christ” which held on Saturday, 20th May, 2023 at St. Matthew’s Church Maitama, Abuja.
Archbishop Ndukuba noted that having interacted with political actors, the Anglican Communion demands of the President-Elect and his Team, the Governors-elect and the National and State Legislators that emerged victorious at the Polls to give due diligence to the following; 1. Security of Lives and Property, 2. Education of young Nigerians, 3. Health-care Delivery, 4. National Economy, 5. Rule of Law and Law Enforcement, 6. An All-Inclusive Government, 7. Infrastructural Neglect should be addressed, 8. Completion and operation of Critical Industries, 9. Building a United and Prosperous Nation.
FULL TEXT BELOW;
The 2023 National Elections: The National Elections of 2023 have come and gone and we thank the Almighty God for preserving this Nation in peace. We congratulate the citizens of this country for their resilience and patriotism, especially the young people. The change in the political landscape in Nigeria is evident. It shows that the birth of the New Nigeria where every citizen is free and impunity in public and private sphere is eradicated, is actually possible. The conduct of the elections have also exposed the loopholes in our system and areas of further legislative work in order to get us on the right democratic path.
We congratulate all our political parties and the political contestants in all the parties. The spate of intimidation of opponents and electoral violence, especially in the bid to rig elections results must be criminalised. The level of incompetence and paralysing of the implementation of the Laws guiding the conduct of the elections must be mitigated.
We must congratulate all those declared winners in the past election and encourage them to be magnanimous in victory. This is a call to duty and a service opportunity to our citizens and above all, it is an opportunity to make a difference in the service of God and Humanity. Write your names in the Annals of History, positively. Those who did not win are encouraged to be calm and peaceful for the sake of the good of our citizens. We thank all Nigerians for maintaining peace and do encourage all aggrieved persons to seek redress in the Courts of Law and Electoral Tribunals.
Once again this is the time to test the resilience of our Legal System as indeed the enduring hope for Justice, Equity and fairness for all citizens. The Judicial Officers and lawyers must not disappoint God and the common man. We look forward in great expectation to a new dawn for our Nation Nigeria. At such a time as this, we call on every citizen to join hands and let us rise up and build together. We call on God’s people to keep watching and praying for the incoming administration.
THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE CITIZENS: Having interacted with political actors, the Anglican Communion demands of the President-Elect and his Team, the Governors-elect and the National and State Legislators that emerged victorious at the Polls to give due diligence to the following, namely:
- Security of Lives and Property: Nigerian citizens demand that Government put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens. The present state of insecurity and attacks on Christian Churches, Communities and indeed the citizens of this country, is worrisome. The security of lives and property of citizens will foster economic growth of the country.
- Education of young Nigerians: The Government should ensure that education of our children at all levels is given top priority, as this is the best legacy our country can bequeath to her youth.
- Health-care Delivery: The Government should improve the Health-Care Delivery System, so that the current Medical Tourism among top Government Functionaries and privileged few can be completely eradicated or reduced. We have the capacity to provide and be a destination for Health Tourism, at least in Africa.
- National Economy: We have great apprehension over the Rising Inflation, Debt Servicing burden, Fuel Subsidy and fear for the future of Nigeria. Alleviating the suffering of the masses should be the priority of the Government, hence the Church demands adequate provision of education, economic empowerment and job creation/employment opportunities for the teeming youths and citizens. The provision of grants and loans for indigent people as a social safe-net for the citizens will offer every citizen the opportunity to contribute to the development of the country they call their own.
- Rule of Law and Law Enforcement: The Church frowns at the negligent attitude of the leaders and lack of political will to enforce the Rule of Law. We therefore advise the Government to maintain the Rule of Law and uphold civil rights, justice and equity. The Judiciary should be made to serve the citizens in matters of Justice and Equity. Decentralizing the Police Force and creation of State Police will help to improve on Security and maintenance of Law and Order.
- An All-Inclusive Government: The Church requests that our leaders should make a comprehensive assessment of the policies and procedures of governance to be able to make governance in Nigeria an all-inclusive affair. The Government should ensure that appointment into Political offices is not lopsided or done based on sentiment or sectional interests. We have an opportunity to give a new direction to this country, therefore competence and sacrifice for the good of all the citizens must be priority consideration. The enforcement of the Federal Character and other regulatory policies will help to restore balance and fairness in the country.
- Infrastructural Neglect should be addressed: We encourage the incoming Government to address the problem of Infrastructural neglect, and see to the full execution and completion of road construction projects, schools and other basic infrastructure and make up for the long infrastructural deficiencies we have suffered in the country. The Church demands that the Government should provide social amenities especially, Electricity, good Public Transport System and Housing for the citizens because this will enhance better life for the citizens.
- Completion and operation of Critical Industries: The Government needs to take as very important the development of key critical projects that are strategic for more Economic and Technological Development of the country, especially, the Ajaokuta Steel Industry, our Refineries and the need for Modular Refineries, Textile Industries and other Agro-based Industries. These sectors will engender fast economic growth and employment opportunities in the country.
- Building a United and Prosperous Nation: The Church yearns for a Rebirth of our Nation through the Leadership that ensures Security of lives and property, a growing economy with a great future, respect for the rights, welfare and equity for all citizens, irrespective of Tribe, Religion, political affiliations and other preferences, but above all, we need a Nigeria where no person is haunted or oppressed.
Culled From The Presidential Address of The Primate of The Church of Nigeria and Bishop of Abuja Diocese, to The First Session of The Twelfth Synod of The Diocese Of Abuja, Held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church Maitama, Abuja on Saturday, 20th May 2023.
Korede Akintunde
CoN Communication Officer. +234-8032321280
