Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Bishop of Abuja, the Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba, has urged the President Bola Tinubu administration to lead by example in the fight against corruption and prioritise the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
Ndukuba made the appeal during the opening of the third session of the 12th synod of the Diocese of Abuja at St. Phillip’s Church, Team 6 in Abuja with the theme: “Serve The Lord: Imperative For Family Under God.”
Speaking to journalists on the second anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration, the primate lamented the deep-rooted corruption in Nigeria, saying it undermines national progress.
“Nobody should undermine the problems of Nigeria, and more than the problems of Nigeria, there are three things that no matter how we struggle, it will just undermine whatever efforts that are being made by the leaders.
“The level of corruption is so deep, from the cleaner to the manager to even those in high places. Everybody is looking for where to squeeze and put in his pocket,” he said.
He criticised Nigeria’s borrowing habits, warning that future generations are being burdened with debt.
“We are patting our back that we paid back some millions of dollars, while we are borrowing over $200 million. Are we actually out of the woods? When we are squandering the resources of our future generation, our children’s children are already put in debt,” he said.
While acknowledging the administration’s efforts in economic restructuring, he urged leaders to make sacrifices.
“If they want us out of the woods, let them serve the people. Let the interests of common Nigerians be a priority,” he said.
The primate also condemned the politicisation of religion and ethnicity, calling for national unity.
“The weaponisation of religion and tribal entities is another bane of Nigeria’s life. These religious politics and tribal politics must be dealt with,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he expressed hope, saying, “Nigeria is richly blessed. If we work together, we have a great future. Nigeria will rise again by the grace of God.”
Ndukuba while addressing the synod’s theme, emphasised the need for families to remain steadfast in faith amid economic and social hardships.
“At such a time when the family is facing hardship, challenges, and attacks on every side, it is good for us to ask: what is the Lord saying to us? If we turn against God, to whom shall we go? The enemy will finish us if we turn our backs.
“Our God is bigger than our problems. The family is the cradle where children and society are shaped. Except the family is protected, our society will have no bearing,” he said.
