wfn.org | Communiqué issued by the Standing Committee

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3886     |     NIGERIA	|     24 SEPTEMBER 2004

Communiqui issued by the Standing Committee, Church of Nigeria (Anglican 
Communion), at the end of its meeting held at the Cathedral Church of the 
Good Shepherd Enugu, from 15-18 September, 2004

[Church of Nigeria News]

The Standing Committee, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) met at the 
Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu under the guidance of the Holy 
Spirit, presided over by the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Revd P J 
Akinola, DD, CON. It considered the theme "Whom shall I send and who will 
go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8).

*The Church wishes to express its profound gratitude to the Governor, His 
Excellency, and Dr Chimaroke Nnamani and the good people of Enugu State for 
enabling the Conference to be held in their state and the governor's kind 
visit, address and hospitality.
*The Church also wishes to thank the Bishop of Enugu and his wife and the 
whole diocese for their warm reception and kind hospitality.
*The Church calls upon both Church and Political leaders to take time to 
reflect on the Holiness, Righteousness and Majesty of God to ensure better 
leadership.
*The Church commends the government initiative on the proposed enhanced 
capitalisation of Banks. The government, however, should ensure that it 
does not lead to mass retrenchment in the banking sector that could 
exacerbate the high level of unemployment in the country.
*The Church commends the Inspector General of Police, his officers and men 
over the Okija operation, and calls upon all communities to abandon such 
practices and embrace the bright light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
*The Church calls for sustained improvement on our road networks as 
meaningful economic development depends on the availability of such.
*The Church observes that NEPA has actually not improved as anticipated. 
The Church laments the negative impact of this situation on large, medium 
and small-scale industries in the country.
*The Standing Committee continues to call for sustained efforts to fight 
the prevailing state of insecurity in the country as this situation will 
frustrate efforts by Government to attract foreign investment and tourism.
*The Church notes that unemployment is spiralling out of control, giving 
rise to an army of beggars, frustrated and angry youths and phenomenal 
increase in the rate of crime - bearing in mind that poverty alleviation 
programme is not succeeding as expected.
*The Church observes that the Nigerian Police have continued with impunity 
to extort money from motorists as if it were a legitimate toll; it condemns 
the reckless weapon handling by the police leading to indiscriminate 
shooting and loss of innocent lives. The behaviour of the police is a 
terrible embarrassment and this has caused great damage to our national 
image. It calls on the police to repent.
*National Conference: This Church repeats its earlier call for a National 
Conference to restructure the country into a true Federalism, so as to 
ensure justice and equity.
*The Church has examined the human tragedy in the Sudan (the land of the 
black), where about a million people have become displaced and their homes 
destroyed; with many dead and more still dying. The Church condemns the 
perpetrators of this evil and calls for justice for the black people of 
Dafur region.
*The Church commends the active role being played by the Chairman, African 
Union - Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, to see that life returns to normal in 
Dafur region of the Sudan.

The Most Revd Peter J Akinola, CON, DD
Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria

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