The leadership of the Methodist Church, Nigeria (MCN) has expressed concerns over the prevailing socio-economic and security challenges engulfing the nation, lamenting that unless urgent remediation measures are in place, the country faces the risk of implosion.
Rising from the 30th Annual Synod of the Diocese, held at the Immanuel Methodist Cathedral, Itiam Etoi, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, participants were enjoined to commit passionately to prayers the ongoing economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to bear fruit.
The communique, signed by the Archbishop, Most Reverend John Koko—Bassey; the Lay President, Sir Sunday Bassey; and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abasifreke Idiong, appealed to political leaders and policymakers to ensure the reforms have a human face and restore the hopes of vulnerable poor Nigerians.
The four – day conference with the theme; “He Will Rise Again”, drawn from John 11:23, noted that the convention was timely, “particularly at times like this when Nigerians are under the weight of an unstable economy, widespread hardship, endemic corruption, insecurity, crumbling social institutions, and numerous challenges confronting the Church.”
Frowning at the needless suffering of Nigerians, the Synod urged the leadership of the Church and the nation at large to “adopt the Jesus example at Bethany, as a model for spiritual and national reawakening, by not only promising hope, but by taking concerted efforts at loosening the citizenry from the shackles of poverty and grief.”
The communique reads: “Synod encouraged Christians in their walk with God, and urged all Nigerians to stir up their affection for worthy causes, unite to rebuild the Church and the nation, and keep praying to God to grant the nation a new, united and progressive Nigeria, where religious tolerance and peaceful neighborliness will thrive.
“Synod commiserated with the Roman Catholic Church, particularly faithfuls in Nigeria, on the demise and interment of the 266th Pope of the church, His Holiness Pope Francis, and indeed other revered and prominent leaders of the Church, who departed this world to the life beyond.
“The Diocese prayed that God shall guide the Conclave in the election of a new Pope, and also raise Christian leaders who shall be selfless and sincerely committed to the services of God and humanity.
“Synod felicitated the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD on the occasion of his 61st birthday, which coincided with the commencement of the 30th Synod, and lauds his large-hearted magnanimity towards the Diocese, particularly the financial support towards the ongoing cathedral building project.
“Synod also lauded the development strides of the Governor and the implementation of the new minimum wage, as well as the provision of infrastructure, incentives and the enabling environment for the return to agriculture and food sufficiency. The Diocese urged the Governor not to relent in his efforts, as this will boost economic growth and create employment for the teeming youths.
“Synod observed with utter dissatisfaction the depths to which Nigeria’s economic fortunes have plummeted, and blamed them on certain policies of government which, instead of addressing salient issues in the country have made life unbearable for the Nigerian masses.
“It consequently urged governments at all levels to ensure that the trend is reversed through workable and positive economic policies that will shore up the value of the naira, reduce fuel prices, transportation, cost of food materials, as well as implement a living minimum wage” for workers.
“Synod expressed grave concern over the surging and unabated insecurity in our dear nation, particularly the killings in parts of Benue and Plateau States. Synod frowned at the unperturbed disposition of government which tends to suggest helplessness at a time when terrorists and kidnappers tended to take over the nation’s capital and the highways.
“The Diocese therefore reiterated earlier calls on both the federal and state governments to appraise and realign the security and intelligence strategies by adopting community policing, so as to address the ugly trend of terrorism and violent crimes.
“Synod identified the factors inhibiting a reawakening of the nation to include corruption, bigotry, maladministration, insecurity, devaluation of the currency, and inflation, and appealed to government to initiate sustainable economic reforms across all sectors.
“Synod frowns at the recent political maneuverings in Nigeria, including the six-month suspension of Rivers State Governor, Mr.Sim Fubara, his Deputy, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly. While urging politicians to imbibe the tenets of liberal democracy, the Diocese notes that multiparty democracy remains a key factor, both in promoting the frontiers of human freedoms and in strengthening participatory governance.”
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