Akinde Urges Buhari To Justify Nigerians’ Confidence In Him

By Chris Irekamba BISHOP of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland and Archbishop of the Province of Lagos, Most Rev Adebayo Akinde has urged the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, not to betray the confidence and trust reposed on him by Nigerians.

In his address at the opening ceremony of the third session of its Third Synod at All Saints Church, Yaba, Lagos, yesterday, Akinde urged Buhari and the Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to justify the people’s faith in them. According to him, “our expectations from you are far higher than what you can imagine.

Please, do not to betray our trust. Endeavour to tackle urgently issues pertaining to the welfare of the people and make a visible effort to rise up squarely to the challenges of insecurity, provide regular power supply, potable water, good roads and surgically reposition our educational system.”

While thanking God for the peaceful conduct of the general elections, the Archbishop observed that, “by transiting gracefully, Nigeria has been saved avoidable pain.”

He enjoined political office holders to learn that “power belongs to God and it is He, who gives it to people”, adding they should not “forget that when God grants us power at all levels of administration, secular or religious, power is to be used to promote people’s welfare.”

He noted that when power is used responsibly, it brings succour to the people, fosters justice and promotes development. Reflecting on the theme of the Synod, “Teach the Youths Today and Fashion the Future”, which was taken from Psalm 78:6-7, Akinde said the State and the Church should harness the energy of the youth for development.

He called for adequate attention to the “proper upbringing, formation and training of the youths from an early age so that it can bring a lasting positive impact on their lives and the society as a whole.”