The Bishop of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Ifedola Gabriel Okupevi, has decried the growing gap between the rich and the poor, noting that inequality is not only a societal failure but a moral one.

In light of that, the cleric charged the Church to become a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for policies that promote justice and inclusion and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

The Bishop, who spoke at the pre-synod summit tagged, “Nehemiah Summit,” with the theme: “Tackling Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment: The Role of the Church,” stressed the need for faith-based institutions to become proactive agents of socio-economic transformation.

“It is crucial that we recognise the indelible role of the church in fostering change and impacting our communities for the better. This economic deprivation is intertwined with inequality, where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, while the vast majority grapple with scarcity and lack,” Okupevi said.

While admonishing parishes across the Diocese to recognise these interlinked challenges as not merely economic statistics but real-life struggles, the Bishop stressed the importance of training, microfinance, and mentorship as tools for change. He noted that the Church is uniquely positioned to be a beacon of hope and a succour in times of need.

Okupevi enumerated five points that could be used in tackling the challenges, which, according to him, included spiritual mobilisation and advocacy, community development initiatives, employment opportunities, care and support systems and advocacy for policy change.

The Bishop, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed the Diocese’s commitment to long-term investment in human capital and moral leadership. Okupevi said: “As we stand as agents of change, let us heed the example of Nehemiah, who did not merely lament the state of Jerusalem, but took action. It is time for the church to embrace its role as a catalyst for social transformation.”