Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Archdiocesan Bishop of the Methodist Church, Archdiocese of Ebonyi, His Grace, Most Rev. Chikwendu Ogan Igwe, has condemned in totality the spate of insecurity and killings of innocent citizens, especially in Plateau, Benue, Zamfara States, and some parts of Ebonyi State.
Igwe, however, called on governments at all levels and wealthy individuals in Nigeria to rise and use their privileged positions to impact the poor and less privileged in society.
The Bishop made this known in a communiqué signed by him and the Archdiocesan Lay President, Onwe Sunday Onwe, and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday, shortly after the conclusion of the 31st Annual Synod of the Diocese of Abakaliki, held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Ebonyi State.
The Synod, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for citing the coastal roads that pass through Ebonyi State, adding that the roads will encourage economic development and ease transportation and communication in the area.
He also applauded the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, for his intervention in communal clashes in some areas of the state, especially in Effium/Ezza Effium, Amasiri/Edda, and Amangwu/Isinkwo, and encouraged him not to relent in the restoration of total peace in the entire state.
The eleven-point communiqué reads in part: “The Synod encouraged the Governor, Francis Nwifuru, not to relent in the restoration of total peace in the entire state and also praised his administration for the human capital development he exhibits through the People’s Charter of Needs, from which the Methodist Church has also benefited — before and especially during the inauguration of the Archdiocese of Ebonyi.
“The Synod affirmed that the Methodist Church Nigeria has risen to its responsibilities of not only praying for the state and Nigeria, the citizens, and especially leaders at all levels, but also contributing its quota in addressing issues of concern where necessary.
“The assembly called for an attitudinal change toward sacrificial giving and faithful tithing, aggressive evangelism, health services, workers’ welfare, and other spiritual and infrastructural developments of the Diocese to achieve better results.
“The Synod called on leaders to cultivate a good relationship with God, as in the case of Mary and Martha, in order to attract God’s intervention in the present unstable economic downturn in the nation.
“The Synod condemned the spate of insecurity pervading the entire nation, especially the recent killings in Plateau, Benue, and some parts of Ebonyi State, and advised that leadership at all levels should rise to tackle these threats to lives and property.
“In the face of uncertainty in our present society, marked by insecurity, hunger, poverty, and hardship, the Synod enjoined the general public to allow the resurrection power of Christ to drive their faith in Christ’s redemptive work.
“The Synod called on the general public, and youths in particular, to shun all forms of social vices, such as cultism, ritual killings, drug abuse, sexual immorality, and illicit masquerading, especially among the Christian community,” the communiqué noted.
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