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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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

The Synod, which was presided over by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, who is also the Bishop of the Diocese, was themed: “Planted by the Waters: The Beauty of Walking with God (Psalm 1:2-3).” In his 88-page Presidential Address (a.k.a Bishop’s Charge) delivered on the Ceremonial Opening Day of the Synod, Primate Ndukuba called on the people to walk with God as God requires it and also blesses and punishes people based on how they walk with him. He said: “God demands from every servant of God, a close walk with Him. Every person whoever that pleased God had walked closely with God. To walk with God is to obey God in total surrender and submission to His Word, His Will and Instructions. God commands blessing and punishment based on the extent of our walk with God. He says ‘Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins’ (Lev. 26:21). Faithful men of old who pleased God walked with God.”

Ndukuba said, walking with God, entails at least 7 things, namely, metaphorically being a tree planted by the source of water, delighting in the Law of the Lord, meditating on the Word of God, obedience to God’s instruction, being led by the Holy Spirit, mission and evangelism and the righteousness of God. The Primate cautioned the people of the factors that can distract them from walking with God, which included the enemies of God, the prosperity of the wicked, flesh, sin, suffering, affliction and persecution.

Earlier in the Synod’s Opening Service, the Bishop of Kaduna, the Rt Rev. Timothy Yahaya, told the synod that it is only in following the Lord that joy can be found. Yahaya enjoined them to adhere to instruction of upholding and obeying the Word of God as given in Joshua 1:8 for prosperity and good success. “Success outside obedience to God is not good success and engenders dissatisfaction and frustration”, the Bishop said.

Also, at the Synod’s Closing/Thanksgiving Service, the Bishop of Lokoja, The Most Rev. Emmanuel Egbunu highlighted the blessing awaiting those who walk with God. He noted that the idea of blessing pervades the entire Bible and that Psalm 1 is like the gateway to the sanctuary and uses literary device of contrast to communicate the message of blessedness. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked” shows the great roles counsel has over our lives. He regretted that special advisers and counsellors in our country lead us into destruction even when they are paid huge amounts of money.

Egbunu called on the people to return to the Lord and to his word. “When we speak about the beauty of walking with God, it comes from delighting, meditating day and night on the word of the Lord”, he said.

Archbishop Blessing Enyindah, who led the Synod Bible Study also joined in the call to walk with God as the sure way of entering blessedness.

The Synod featured presentation of seminar papers and Choir cantata and attended by Chief Osita Chidoka who chaired the Synod’s Opening Ceremony/Launching of Bishop’s Charge. Other dignitaries that attended the Synod included the Dean of the Church of Nigeria, the Most Rev. Dr Buba Lamido, the former Primate, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh and over 30 archbishops and bishops. Others were SGF Boss Mustapha, Sen. Andy Uba, Sir Chikwe Udensi,Prof. Jerry Gana, Sir Olusegun Adekunle, High Chief S.N. Ukachukwu and Prince Sunny Ukachukwu.

By Princewill Ireoba