The Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel Diocese of Esan Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has appealed to Edo State Governor, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, to fulfill his campaign promise of constructing the road leading to the Bishop’s Court as well as completing the Cathedral building. The church noted that although the Cathedral building has been dedicated, a lot of work still needed to be done.

In a communique issued at the end of the Third Session of the 17th Synod of the Diocese held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Ekpoma, from June 29 to July 2, 2023, the church said: “Given the fact that there is only one Synod remaining to be held under his administration as governor of Edo State, Synod strongly appeals to the governor to write his name on the positive side of history in the annals of Esan Diocese by fulfilling his promise.”

It also called on the governor to hand over mission schools to their original owners just like Lagos State, among others, have done.

The Synod, under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. Gabriel Oseikhuemen Elabor, as the Bishop of the Ecclesiastical See of Esan and Synod President identified 31 schools to be handed over to the Diocese of Esan by the Edo State government.

Recalling the role of state governments in school business in the mid-20th century, the church stressed that they played the role of providing assistance by way of making grants available to missions who have established schools all over the country.

The church lamented that the arrangement was scuttled in the later part of the century when the military forcefully took over governance and the schools from mission bodies without any compensation.

The church observed that moral decay in the society actually began during the military era when the spiritual and moral aspects of the nation’s educational system were removed, leaving the school system to produce educated citizens without corresponding moral status.

The Synod said: “While Synod is not against the issue of control and setting of minimum standards for our education system by the government, it, however, calls on the government to allow the mission bodies to run their schools, while the government plays the regulatory role.”

The Synod, therefore, called on the Edo State government to borrow a leaf from Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Anambra, Delta, Rivers and other states that have handed over mission schools to their owners and as a matter of urgency handover the schools in their care to the original owners and also provide sufficient funds to rehabilitate the schools just as these other states did.

The Synod identified 31 schools in the area covered by the Diocese of Esan expected to be handed over to their owners.

It lamented the state of insecurity in the country and called on the authorities concerned to tackle the monster headlong.

Applauding the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restructure the security architecture of the country by injecting fresh blood into the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the police, the synod said: “We are worried over the persistent and alarming state of insecurity in the country and wondered whether it is a matter of government’s inability or unwillingness to salvage the situation. Reports of politically-motivated assassinations, ritual killings, kidnapping for ransom, terrorism, banditry and general state of insecurity have continued unabated in all parts of the country. Synod appreciates the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restructure the nation’s security architecture by injecting fresh blood into the leadership of the Armed Forces and the Police.”

The Synod, however, called on the President, the Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police to live up to the expectations of Nigerians who have continued to suffer the untold and harrowing effects of insecurity by carrying out their constitutional roles to secure Nigeria, and free our forests of killer herdsmen and other unwanted elements.

It also called on governments at all level to equip their security architectures to actualise the needed result, noting that the fight against insecurity could only be won through a collective effort.

On the nation’s economy, the Synod noted with dismay the alarming state of hunger and suffering in the country, which according to its findings, has resulted in astronomical increase in prices of food items and general goods. It stated that insecurity on the farmlands, incessant hike in the exchange rate, deplorable state of road networks and the high pump price of petrol after the removal of fuel subsidy have not helped matters, adding that hunger and suffering worsened as a result of the abrupt implementation of the naira re-design policy.

It bemoaned the untold hardship, which helpless Nigerians were subjected to during the period and called on the government to come up with policies that alleviate the people’s suffering.

On corruption, the Synod decried that even those saddled with the task of fighting corruption have become more corrupt, adding that “Satan cannot cast out Satan.”

It urged all those saddled with the responsibility to go about it with “clean hands,” show sincerity and be committed in the fight against corruption and shun all forms of corrupt practices.

“Synod cautions families and communities of those in power to stop mounting undue pressure on their people in government because when they are pressured above their means, they are left with no other option than to dip their hands into the government coffers, in order not to be seen as failures by their people, and satisfy their people” the Synod stated.

It also took a swipe at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its conduct of the 2023 general election, saying the electoral body disappointed Nigerians and should learn from the conduct of elections in developed countries such as the U.S. and give Nigeria credible elections that would ultimately translate into credible leadership in the country.

The Synod appealed to all players in the electoral system to shun all forms of electoral malpractices and live up to their constitutional responsibilities, even as it commended Nigerians, especially the youth, for their resilience during the period.

While condemning the dilapidated state of federal roads, especially in Esanland, the Synod said: “We specifically recall that in 2023, the then Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, through his twitter handle, revealed that the Federal Government led by Muhammadu Buhari had approved the sum of N75 million for the reconstruction of Okene-Benin Expressway. This fund was later said to have been released by the same Minister.

“However, despite the news of approval and release of funds for the said purpose, not even a caterpillar was sighted on the road till the administration completed its tenure. Most worrisome is that the road is now completely dilapidated as not even a palliative work has been done on it for the past three years, despite its continuous deterioration.”

The Synod further noted that some portions of the road have been completely cut off, resulting in gridlock caused by heavy duty vehicles, which are forced to park along busy roads. The situation, it noted, has also rendered some communities inaccessible.

It added: “The bad condition of these roads has resulted in many road mishaps, damage of vehicles, loss of human lives and skyrocketing of prices of goods and services.”

It appealed to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency get down to work on this stretch of road so as to minimise the plight of road users who have been groaning for the past three years.

The group also appealed to the Edo State government to collaborate with the Federal Government to carry out a formidable and lasting rehabilitation on the federal highways.

The Synod called on Christians to get involved in politics and avoid the situation whereby those who do not have the fear of God occupy elective positions. Admonishing Christians to take active interests in politics, it noted that the ugly narratives of the Nigerian politics of today could only be changed from the inside and not outside.

It urged church members who are already in politics to live exemplary lives in their areas of influence, adding that they are not there to serve their personal interests but as God’s representatives.

The synod congratulated the Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Monday Okpebholo and members representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency, Marcus Onobun on their victories at the 2023 polls. It admonished them to give selfless representations to the people and justify the confidence reposed on them by meeting the yearnings and expectations of the people who voted for them.

The Synod pleaded with the new administration to focus on nation building, formulation of positive economic policies, security issues, the development of critical infrastructure, among others.

It said: “Synod cautions the new administration to avoid the temptation of undue witch-hunting and persecution of perceived political enemies and members of opposition parties and bring all capable hands on deck, irrespective of their political, religious and ethnic inclinations, so that we can collectively build a nation, which we all would be proud to call our own. We urge the current administration to place the interest of the Nigerian people above regional, religious and ethnic considerations, which clearly manifested in the last administration. Nations only thrive on grounds of equity, fairness and justice.”

The event, which featured awards and dedication of the new Cathedral building, was attended by Synod Revivalist, Ven. Osaze David Egbenusi and Synod Preacher, Ven. Folorunso Oreoluwa Agbelusi,

Other dignitaries included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu, who was represented by Mr. Chris Ize-Iyamu; Senator Monday Okpebholo; Sir Marcus Onobun; Sir Joe Edionwele; HRM, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie, Abumere II; Onojie of Ekpoma, HRM, Zaiki Amendu Momoh Ibhadon II, among others.