By the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) | The Guardian Nigeria News

Communiqué issued at the end of the retreat of the Bishops and wives of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) held on 9th

It was held under the direction of Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Venerable Henry C. Ndukuba, and his wife, Mrs. Angela E. Ndukuba (Mama Nigeria).

Introduction Two bishops and their wives from Cameroon and Ghana also took part in the first joint retreat of this kind. The retreat was an opportunity for the bishops and their wives to thank God for guiding them through the challenges of the past year and for entrusting the new year to him; trusting him to qualify them for ministry and to guard and protect them throughout the year. The retreat, which began with the celebration of Holy Communion (the Communion), provided opportunities for prayer and worship, Bible study, and lectures and interactive sessions.

Theme
Diligence in the service of the only true God (John 17:3-4). And this is the eternal life that they know, you only true God and Jesus Christ whom you sent. I have glorified you on earth after completing the work you gave me to do.’ The theme comes from the high priestly prayer of Christ; the longest in the Bible. It was about recognizing Jesus’ true mission on earth and the calling of the Lord’s bishops and disciples, showing discipline that falls short of the ministry to which they were called, and also showing the way to eternal life and it to do diligently. It calls on Christian ministers not to compromise their vocation amid the diverse practices in the modern religious context. Rather, they should depend on the word of the Lord to sanctify them and on His Spirit to qualify them for diligent service. Overall, they are to make Jesus, who alone reveals the only true God, their only authentic example of ministry.

General elections 2023
The bishops and their wives prayed fervently for Nigeria, notably acknowledging the very upcoming general elections beginning in February 2023. They call on Nigerians to be diligent by first collecting their PVCs in the ongoing exercise to enable them to participate in the upcoming elections. Be diligent in choosing the right people to diligently serve the country and make it out of its numerous social and political problems. They call on Nigerians to reject vote-buying politicians and exercise their right to vote with good conscience and conviction. Everyone will be accountable for their actions, and this is especially important now that the country needs dedicated and genuine leaders to serve.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The House urges INEC to ensure that elections are free, fair and credible and that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) operates smoothly. The House also frowns at the incessant attacks on INEC offices, staff and facilities and urges those involved to desist from this act. She also calls on the Nigerian security services to adequately protect INEC before, during and after the election.

National Welfare of the People
The House of Representatives laments the level of poverty and demoralization in the country today, noting that life has become incredibly hard for Nigerians and many are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet due to unbearable inflation and the weak strength of the Nigerian currency. She calls on the government to take the necessary measures to alleviate the suffering of the people.

worker welfare
The need to take workers’ well-being more seriously has become more evident in recent times given the current hardships facing the whole country. The wages of the workers are poor and not enough to meet their needs. The ongoing ASUU crisis in paying arrears has demonstrated the government’s insensitivity to addressing the needs of its citizens, particularly university faculty members. The House of Representatives is calling on the government to urgently address this issue and put an end to the suffering of workers that has led to discontent among the country’s millions of workers and youth, prompting many Nigerians to choose to leave the country to pastures to become greener. Likewise, many doctors and nurses have continued to leave our hospitals while the government seems helpless to stem the tide to the detriment or harm of the people.

It is worrying that various professionals are leaving their jobs for greener pastures. The House calls on the government to address this matter urgently by providing a good welfare package and resolving any ongoing disagreements between it and the various unions, in order to promote stability in education and other sectors of the economy and also to stem brain drain avoid.

Quality of Education at All Levels The poor quality of education at different levels and in different places of our education system is a matter of concern and it is a result of insufficient government attention and lack of educational facilities and qualified staff, many of whom have fled the country for greener pastures. The House calls on the government to provide adequate facilities, qualified staff and adequate payment for teachers, and also to help them improve the education sector is alarming. Unfortunately, JAPA syndrome is becoming more and more popular. Most worrying is the government’s inability to respond. The House urges the government to put in place urgent mechanisms to remedy this trend before it is too late and before the country becomes impoverished without capable people who can contribute to the development of the country’s human capital. Insecurity The Church deplores the terribly alarming and worrying insecurity in virtually all parts of the country, with many people tortured and some abducted from their homes, on the streets, in schools and colleges, churches, airports and train stations, and even military installations.

The House calls on the Government to take immediate and decisive action to address insecurity in the country. Sustainable Policies It has been observed that many national policies being developed in our country are unsustainable because they are largely geared to the benefit of the ruling cabal ‘while the majority of the people petty suffer. The House calls on the government and the originators of national policies to shape them in the collective interest of the people, so that the policies are implemented without creating unnecessary hardship on the people collapse in family values, leading to domestic violence, cultism, banditry, suicide, among others and increasing levels of ritual killing. Many of these crimes are motivated by the lust for wealth and power among citizens, especially young people. This contradicts traditional Christian values ​​that honor the dignity and sanctity of human life. It is deplorable that some religious organizations and family units contribute in no small measure to this threat because of their over-emphasis on wealth and materialism. Failure to live up to their inordinately high expectations and desire for get-rich-quick schemes has led many to nasty alternatives such as B. The return to idolatrous practices, another form of social evils and religious vices. The House calls on society to re-teach basic moral values ​​and religious doctrines that emphasize reality, ability, hard work and reward. It further calls on all churches and ecumenical bodies to reject strange and superficial teachings lacking any genuine biblical basis, many of which have wormed their way into the various churches today, which among other things seem to advocate an undue emphasis on the acquisition of wealth .

The Anglican Communion House reaffirms its commitment to the genuine reading, interpretation and application of the true Word of God in the lives of believers around the world. It calls on the Anglican Communion worldwide to obey the Word of God and to shun all forms of compromise and liberal tendencies that might undermine the Living Word of God and its transformative impact on the lives of believers and society as a whole. Leadership as a bane of society The House of Representatives recognizes poverty of ideals and failure of leadership as the main factor responsible for most of Nigeria’s socio-economic and political woes. It calls on leaders at all levels to firmly advocate people-centric policies and effectively respond to people’s needs. The house also calls on Christians to remain true to their calling by living up to the spiritual and moral demands of their identity as holy and beloved children of God living in a perverse and wicked world. They should consciously live their faith as light in the darkness of the world and as salt on the earth. Conclusion In conclusion, the Bishops and their wives appeal to the faithful to continue in their prayers for Nigeria and call on all to take action that will bring about the restoration, progress, peace and prosperity that Nigeria so desperately desires. In addition, the House encourages Nigerians not to give up amidst the current challenges, knowing that Nigeria belongs to God and He will not give up. Rather, He will prepare a way for us; we just have to trust him and wait for him without hesitation. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we fear not…” (Psalm 46:1-2). • Most Rev. Henry C. Ndukuba is Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).