By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
As sections of the Nigerian polity continues to clamour for the restructuring of the country, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has warned that the nation is sitting on a time-bomb unless the leaders take steps to address the issue.
The church advised Nigerians leaders at all levels to shun all forms of hypocrisy and support moves for the re-structuring of the country and institutionalise true federalism.
The call was contained in a communique issued by the Diocese of Evo, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Rivers State at the end of the Second Session of its Third Synod held at Elelenwo, Obio, Port Harcourt last weekend.
The communique, which was signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; Acting Clerical Synod Secretary, Rev. Gospel Onuchukwu; and the Lay Synod Secretary, Sir Emma Izuehie, advised all arms of government not to foreclose the issue of re-structuring.
This is as it lauded the federal government and the National Assembly for reinstating Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in the curriculum of the mainstream public schools in the country.
The church said the calls for re-structuring of the country have been as a result of dissatisfaction of sections of the nation on how the country is being run.
It read in part: “Synod notes the calls for the restructuring of the Nigerian state and acknowledges that the calls have been as a result of dissatisfaction of sections of the nation on how the country is being run, perceived and real marginalisation and need for resource control, equity and fair play in major federal government appointments in keeping with the constitutional provisions for federal character.
“The synod therefore calls on leaders at all levels of government to shun all forms of hypocrisy and support the move for the restructuring of the country and institutionalise fiscal federalism.
“Considering the recent decision of the National Assembly on the matter, synod advises all arms of government not to foreclose the issue as Nigeria would be sitting on a time-bomb if the issue of restructuring is not properly addressed. The time to act is now.
“The Synod commends the federal government and the National Assembly for reinstating CRK in the mainstream public schools’ curriculum.
“The Synod notes the increasing decadence in the society, advises the youth to imbibe self and corporate discipline in their attitude to life, education and work; being conscious of their identity, speech, dressing and actions to ensure a good future for themselves and society.â€
The church frowned at the increase in corruption, extortion, examination malpractices, sexual assaults on women and children and other violent crimes in the state and called on government to strengthen the agencies responsible for relevant laws and prosecution of offenders.
It however commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on steps he has taken to quell tension generated by some leaders who had been fanning the embers of dissension and hatred in the country but demanded that government must divest itself of every vestige of partiality and religious bias as mere condemnation without concrete actions to punish offenders amounts to bare-faced hypocrisy.
The Synod also called on government at all levels to put in place National ethos and fundamental principles of decent human conducts as this would help to maintain orderliness in the society.
