Anglican Diocese decries insecurity, recommends measures to overcome challenges

The Ogbomoso Anglican Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has decried the worsening state of insecurity, unprecedented bloodletting, kidnapping, ritual killings, massive destruction of farmlands and property, and banditry, among others in the country.

Saying Nigeria is moving towards a failed state, the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Reverend Titus Olayinka, in a communiqué issued at the end of the third session of the Fifth Synod of the Diocese at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Iresaapa, observed that the federal government seems not to be interested in ending these vices that are making life unbearable for the people.

Part of the communiqué reads: “Rather than seeking concrete ways to end the challenges bedevilling the nation, the political elite are busy strategising to win the 2023 general elections, irrespective of the fact that the nation’s integrity is plummeting downwards. The increasing mentality of get-rich-quick syndrome’ among the youths and the open celebration of mediocrity is not helping matters.”

With the theme, “Overcoming Grasshoppers’ Mentality,” the synod called on Nigerians to celebrate integrity, hard work, discipline and excellence and also to inculcate the same positive attitude into their children and the youths.

The Synod called for the restoration of religious morning devotions in all public schools, as a way to promote good morals in children and the youths.

It also called for religious and history education to be installed in all the nation’s school curricula, while the political elite and religious and traditional leaders should collaborate to set good standards in the society.

The Synod commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in the way he responds to citizens’ requests, especially the payment of civil servants’ salaries, as well as pensions and retirees’ entitlements.

It also commended the governor for the provision of social amenities such as streetlights in most of the towns in the state.

The Synod, however, charged the governor to strengthen the security architecture in the state and make it more vibrant to fight the increasing rate of armed robbery and ritual killings, while appealing to Oyo citizens to do what is right and appropriate in the forthcoming general elections.