Anglican Communion condemns increasing insecurity in Nigeria especially on Churches, kidnap of Church leaders


 

…. urge security agencies, citizens to live up to arrest the nightmare in our nation.

 

THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 1ST SESSION OF
THE 10TH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF LOKOJA – CHURCH OF NIGERIA
(ANGLICAN COMMUNION) HELD AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY
TRINITY, LOKOJA FROM THURSDAY, 14TH – SUNDAY, 17TH JULY, 2022’

Preamble;
The 1st Session of the 10th Synod of the Diocese of Lokoja – Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)
was held at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Lokoja – the See of the Diocese, from Thursday,
14th – Sunday, 17th July, 2022 under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and presided over by His Grace,
The Most Rev. Emmanuel A. S. Egbunu, Ph.D – the Lord Bishop of the Diocese and President of the
Synod, ably supported by his wife & President of the Diocesan Mothers’ Union & Women’s Guild, Ladies’ Guild and Girls’ Guild – Mrs. Abiodun A. Egbunu.

The Synod was attended by Synod Delegates, a representative of the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) – His Grace, The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba who also sent support and Goodwill Message, other Bishops, including the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Pankshin and Synod Guest Preacher – His Lordship, The Rt. Rev., Dr. Olumuyiwa Ajayi, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Kubwa – His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Duke T. Akamisoko, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Idah – His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Joe N. Musa, the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Kabba – The Rt. Rev., Dr. Stephen Akobe, the Lord Bishops of the Dioceses of Okene and Ogori-Magongo – The Rt. Rev., Dr. Emmanuel Onsachi and The Rt. Rev. O. O. Davies respectively – both of whom sent representatives, and the Synod Bible Study Leader – Rev. Murtala M. Ma’Aji.

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Also in attendance are the: immediate-past State Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – Bishop John Ibenu; Bishop T. E. D. Bako – the Kogi State Chairman of PFN; the incumbent Chairman of Kogi State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – Special Apostle, Dr. Adebayo Emmanuel Olaniyan , represented by the Vice Chairman – Rev. Malachi Ogakwu; the Kogi State Pastor of the Apostolic Church – Pastor, Dr. D. Olayemi; the Kogi State Commissioner of Police who was represented by Ven., SP Timothy O. Kusanu; and other dignitaries which include the Member representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly – Hon. Shaba Ibrahim, and other prominent politicians.

Moreover, lectures were presented to the Synod by the: Synod Guest Preacher – His Lordship, The Rt. Rev., Dr. Olumuyiwa Ajayi on the topic The Distinctives of Anglicanism in the Context of the Proliferation
of Churches; Synod Bible Study Leader – Rev. Murtala M. Ma’Aji on the topic How Christians should understand Moslem Neighbours and minister the Gospel effectively to them; and Evang., Mrs. Kate Isa
from the United States of America (USA) via zoom on the topic Evangelizing in the Business Space.

Furthermore, the Synod received Goodwill messages from many Dioceses, Organizations and individuals.

At the end of the Synod, the following communiqué was issued:

Appreciations;
The Synod appreciates God Almighty for making the Synod a huge success and commends the leadership
of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese and President of the Synod – His Grace, The Most Rev. Emmanuel A.
S. Egbunu, Ph.D, for his guidance and direction. The Synod also appreciates the Guest Ministers for their insights on the Synod Theme.

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State of the Church;
The Synod expressed displeasure over the present state of the Church, lamenting that the Church in our nation is in crisis. It also regrets that the Church now places more emphasis on luxuries and comforts than on mission and called for repentance.

The Synod Theme;
The Theme of the Synod “Upholding the Gospel of the Kingdom” (Gal. 1:8) enjoins all Christians to return to the sanctity of the Gospel which is the supreme priority to the agenda of heaven and for the salvation of humanity. The Synod advises Christians to be mindful of the deception of the so-called new generation, new age false teachings and digital solutions and admonishes them to always note that the Gospel of the Kingdom is divine, kingdom-focused, kingdom-enhancing and brings everlasting benefits to mankind.

The State of the Nation;
Synod laments the wasting away of the nation’s infrastructure, particularly the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCOL) and the National Iron-Ore Mining Company, Itakpe – both in Kogi State, which it regrets have become a huge economic loss. Consequently, the Synod calls on the relevant authorities to address these wastages in the overall interest of the nation.

ASUU STRIKE;
The Synod expressed grave concern over the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike since February, 2022 and called on ASUU leadership and the Federal Government to resolve their differences in earnest in the overall interest of the students and the country at large to salvage the endangered future.

ATTACK ON CHURCHES;
The Synod condemned the increasing insecurity in Nigeria, especially on Churches and the kidnap of Church leaders and urged the security agencies and all citizens to live up to arrest this nightmare in our nation. The Synod also expresses shock on the caliber of those who justify these crimes.

BRAIN DRAIN;
The Synod is disturbed by the alarming rate of emigration of the nation’s most priced professionals, particularly in the critical health sector, regretting that at the moment, the nation is losing a lot of experts to other countries and called on the government to stem the tide.

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POLITICS;
Synod appeals to Christians to participate actively in the present political dispensation, adding that it is a divine responsibility of every Christian to ensure the emergence of good leadership.

On the other hand, the Synod condemns the unfolding scenario in some political parties that have shown complete disregard for the building blocks of unity and inclusiveness in governance, stressing that those who seek to lead this country must be sensitive to the ruins brought upon us through our fragile and delicate diversity of religion and ethnicity.

KOGI STATE;
The Synod applauds the Kogi Government over the construction of the first ever overhead bridge in the State at Ganaja Junction area of Lokoja – the state capital. Synod also commended the Kogi State Government’s efforts in tacking the security challenges in the State, but expresses regrets over the unending crises at Mozum and Oguma in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.

CONCLUSION;
The Synod congratulates the Lord Bishop of the Diocese and President of the Synod – His Grace, The Most Rev. Emmanuel A. S. Egbunu, Ph.D, on the success of the 1st Session of the 10th Synod of the Diocese. May God bless His Church. Amen.

 

Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija Ven., SP Timothy O. Kusanu
(Member, 2022 Diocesan Synod (Member, 2022 Diocesan Synod
Communiqué & Resolutions Committee) Communiqué & Resolutions Committee)

 

Elder Watts Okonkwo Barr. S. J. Morito
(Secretary, 2022 Diocesan Synod (Chairman, 2022 Diocesan Synod
Communiqué & Resolutions Committee) Communiqué & Resolutions Committee)


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