The Diocese of Umuahia,Anglican Communion, has risen from its 11th Annual Synod with the theme,”Sitting At The Feet of Jesus;The Right Choice”, to call on the Federal Government to release the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB),Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The Anglican Bishop of Umuahia, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, in his Presidential address at the first session of the Synod, held at the All Saints Anglican Church,Umuahia, said the IPOB leader deserves to be free from detention before any casualty would occur.
Rt Rev Geoffrey Ibeabuchi
He made a passionate appeal to the nation’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, requesting for processes to be hastened to free Nnamdi Kanu,so he would not die in detention,stressing for the Federal Government to make policies that would ameliorate the sufferings of the people,in addition to addressing insecurity, kidnapping, banditry and other issues that have made life unbearable for Nigerians.
Bishop Ibeabuchi, who is also the synod president, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for tackling the challenges plaguing the country but requested more effort be made to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
“We humbly request the Federal Government to make policies that are people friendly. This suffering must end as we pray and work together as a people,” Ibeabuchi said. He lamented the scarcity of money, food and intellectuals.
“Our best brains have left the country, especially health workers, economists, lecturers, businessmen and businesses. Companies are shutting down and relocating in their thousands. So many families cannot afford meals to eat, let alone paying their children’s school fees.”
He rejected the current hike in electricity tariff when the country could not generate 6000 megawatts of electricity,even as he berated the recruitment of repentant Boko Haram members into the military, police and other security agencies.
The Cleric, however, expressed dissatisfaction towards the present state of happenings in the nation, stating that he lacked the right words with which to describe the situation in the nation when compared with other nations of the world. “Our leaders seem to be more concerned only in themselves and how to make more money than the welfare of the poor masses.
“How can you explain the fact that fuel subsidy was removed without considering its effect on the masses who voted them into power.
“We are yet to see the CNG buses and the better life that was promised to us as a dividend of subsidy removal.” While commending the Federal Government for the creation of State Police, the cleric expressed reservation that adequate laws be put in place to guide its operations to make it non-partisan and uncompromising.
He commended the Federal Government for commissioning the Geometric Power plant in Aba and requested that it be extended to other parts of Abia State and Nigeria, commending the Abia State Governor,Alex Otti for transforming the State in less than one year and charged Christians to be role models of positive virtues at home, office and society.
In an interview, the chairman Local Organizing Committee of the 2024 Synod, Sir Gabriel Onyedilefu,described the theme of the Synod as apt,especially at a time in the nation when Christians are faced with a lot of challenges,ranging insecurity, inflation,food scarcity among others,adding that one would not feel the present economic hardship,when he/she sits at the feet of Jesus.
According to him,Synod which is the highest decision body of the church,affords the opportunity for the church to come together every year, to review the activities of the church in the previous year and as well, make decisions for the forth coming year.
Sir Gabriel Onyedilefu
Sir Onyedilefu further advised the church to always speak truth to power,if sanity must be restored in government, while urging the people to always serve God.
