STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST PETER, AREMO, IBADAN

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2006

MESSAGE TO THE NATION / COMMUNIQUÉ

At the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) focusing on the theme “Stewardship of Time and Money”, presided over by the Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola, CON, DD, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, the following message is hereby sent to the Nation:

The State of the Nation:

The Church is concerned at the rate at which destruction of lives and property take place in this country on any flimsy excuse, and calls for a judicial inquiry into the recent killings with a view to bringing the culprits to book. This is a sure way that the Federal Government can play her role to restore peace and instil confidence for peaceful ethnic co-existence.  Similarly, the general public is reminded of the folly of letting our anger on fellow Nigerians during riots, and the church calls for a halt to this as respect for the sanctity of human life.

Attacks on and Assassination of Clergy:

The Church is grieved over the frequent violence meted against the clergymen and church leaders and calls on the Government to intensify its efforts on protection of lives and property of all her subjects.

2006 Census:

The Church appreciates the effort of the Federal Government towards 2006 Census and encourages her to ensure that an honest, sincere, transparent and open Census is achieved to avoid a repeat of the failed Census exercises in the past.

The Bill against Homosexuality:

The Church commends the law-makers for their prompt reaction to outlaw same-sex relationships in Nigeria and calls for the bill to be passed since the idea expressed in the bill is the moral position of Nigerians regarding human sexuality.

Obeying the Rule of Law:

The Church calls on all, especially the three tiers of Government, to work with the sole aim of preserving our nascent democracy through absolute obedience to the rule of law. All efforts must be made to avoid and to condemn flagrant disobedience of court orders, if we must survive as a nation.

A call for justice in the oil producing area of the Niger Delta:

The Church views with concern the frequent youth uprising with the  attendant hostage taking, in the oil producing area of the Niger Delta and calls for justice in addressing the issue, a halt to the uprising, and advises against the use of militant force as an option.

The NGO’s on HIV/AIDS:

The unethical usage of funds meant for the HIV and AIDS patients must be viewed seriously so that those directly concerned must be seen to be the direct beneficiaries of the fund’s palliative measures.

Police Issue:

In order that this nation will boast of a trustworthy and efficient police, the Church calls for an urgent review of their condition of service as a progressive measure to achieving our national aim in this regard.

Bird Flu:

The Church commends the financial assistance of the Federal Government to fight bird flu and appreciates the help of foreign organizations/nations that came to our aid.  However, we call on the Government to ensure that such financial aids are judiciously used in the area they are meant for.

Constitutional Review:

The church commends the effort of the Federal Government in setting up a process for the review of the nation’s 1999 Constitution, and urges the legislators to discharge this duty according to the laid down principles devoid of selfish interests. Also, current arguments about “Third Term” is heating up the polity unduly.  The Church calls on the government to do something urgent to stop it.

Education:

The Church observes with dismay some educational policies being peddled in some of our Universities accounting for a further down trend of qualitative education in the country and calls on all lovers of education (especially the Church) to rise up to the challenge for the sake of our children’s future.  It is also important that emerging private Universities must not take things for granted in championing credible educational system.

+Peter Akinola

(Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria).