• As church honours Zulum, others at Standing Committee meeting
• Use your numerical strength to enthrone good leadership, Wike tells church
Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has said Nigerians are tired of leaders that are not responsible and that the church has deemed it necessary to honour those that have proved themselves worthy in serving their people.
Ndukuba stated this at the ongoing Standing Committee meeting of the church at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Rumuobiokani Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
At the event the church honoured the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum with “prestigious award for courageous and purposeful leadership in challenging times.” It also gave awards to three other recipients. The primate said Zulum had distinguished himself in less than three years of becoming Borno’s governor.
He said: “This award supersedes religion. We are tired of leaders that are not responsible and that is why we the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) deemed it fit to honour those who have excellently proven themselves worthy in serving their people. Our intention is to bring to the fore the selfless service of leaders in such a trying time and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State stands out.
“Prof. Babagana Zulum is a true leader, worthy of emulation and we are proud to have him among leaders in the country. He has been attacked severally while discharging his duties but he continued to show zeal and passion to bring hope to the state that has suffered 12-year insurgency. We pray God to continue to guide, protect, bless and uplift Prof. Babagana Zulum now and always.”
Primate Ndukuba presented the award through Borno State Head of Service, Simon Malgwi, on behalf of the governor.
Malgwi is the first Christian in Borno’s history to be appointed Head of Service.
Zulum, who spoke through the Head of Service, thanked the church for the award. He said the award came to him as a pleasant surprise.
“I have received several awards but this one is very special because it came from the clergy and it came from a church to one that is not a Christian and your decision speaks volume of the objectivity and sincerity of purpose of the award. I very much cherish and value this award,” Zulum said.
The Head of Service led a delegation, which included the state’s Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Nuhu Clark, Special Adviser on Community Relations, Mr. Kester Ogualili and Senior Special Assistant on Youths and Jobs Creation, Mr. Christopher Akaba.
The ceremony, which was witnessed by 600 bishops, will end today.
MEANWHILE, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, at the event, charged the church to use its numerical strength to enthrone good political leaders in the country.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, quoted Wike as saying that the people rejoice when good people rule a nation.
“There are churches that claim tens of millions of registered members with branches everywhere, yet these numbers are not available in votes during crucial national elections.
“If the church doesn’t like what is happening to Nigeria: the ravaging insecurity, the lack of meaningful development, mass poverty, unending economic pains on ordinary Nigerians, the recurring violent conflicts and recriminations, the violence on women and children, the discrimination and widespread social, economic and political injustices and the general lack of hope and direction, then, it must start to mobilise its members and Nigerians in general to join and actively participate in the political process to bring about the genuine and sustainable change that our country so urgently needs.”
Wike insisted that what would change Nigeria is good governance that comes with good leadership and the will of the people through credible elections.
