INTRODUCTION

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Standing Committee (The Meeting) met under the guidance of the Holy Spirit at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church Port Harcourt, Diocese of Niger Delta, Rivers State, from Monday 17th to Friday 21st February, 2025. The Meeting with the theme “The Bond of Peace: The Core of the Life and Ministry of the Church” (Ephesians 4:3), was presided over by His Grace, The Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, DD, (Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

In attendance were 137 Archbishops/Bishops, 146 Clergy, and 96 lay members. Also in attendance at the opening ceremony were the wife of the Primate of Church of Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Eberechukwu Ndukuba (President of Mothers’ Union and Girls’ Organizations); Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS (The Governor of Rivers State); Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha (President of the Christian Council of Nigeria); and other government and religious functionaries. Former Primates of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Jasper Akinola and Most. Rev. Dr. Nicholas D. Okoh sent goodwill messages.

At the end of the meeting, the Standing Committee issued the following communiqué:

THEME OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING:

The theme of the Standing Committee, “The Bond of Peace: The Core of the Life and Ministry of the Church” (Ephesians 4:3), emphasizes a foundational role of peace in the unity and universality of the Church. The Church, as the body of Christ, consists of people called out from diverse socio-political and cultural backgrounds, forming a community united in Christ’s peace (Ephesians 4:3). In a world where nations that advocate peace also engage in war and arms trade, the Church must model a high standard of reconciliation and justice to ensure peace. Beyond teaching the Word of God, the Church must endeavour to live out what it teaches, as this is an assured way  the world will know that the Church is Christ’s true ambassador on earth. The importance of unity in the body of Christ, the role of peace in the home and its broader implications for social and national harmony cannot be over emphasized.

 STATE OF THE NATION:

1. The Challenge of Insecurity:

Nigeria is fast becoming a land flowing with tears and blood due to the reality of terror, devastation, destruction and fear amongst the citizenry. The increasing and constant incidences of attacks in villages, cities, on the roads, airports, railways and waterways, and kidnapping give great worry and concern as to whether the government is overwhelmed by it. While the Standing Committee salutes the efforts of our security men, it calls on the government and relevant security agencies to brace up to the occasion to combat this monster of insecurity, check our porous national borders and collaborate with local vigilantes, before things further degenerate.

2. A New Constitution:

History shows Nigeria has been guided at different stages of development and nationhood by several Constitutions. While we commend the National Assembly on their efforts at piecemeal reviews of the military-imposed Constitution, the Committee calls for a totally new civilian Constitution drafted by a sovereign representation of the ethnic nationalities of the country, to address the fundamental issues necessary for a growing, united and prosperous nation.

3. National Reconciliation:

It is a common knowledge that Nigeria is unfortunately fractionalized along ethnic and religious lines, which some elites and politicians have exploited for their selfish gains. The ugly memories of the first military coup and the Nigerian-Biafra civil war still linger. Every region of Nigeria has their historic and social grievances. While we commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his creation of Regional Development Commissions to address some of these grievances, the Standing Committee strongly calls on the government to deliberately make you efforts to de-toxicate Nigeria by establishing a National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to address the grievances of groups and bring genuine healing to the nation.

4. Nigeria’s Economic Environment:

Nigeria stands at an uncertain and fragile economic crossroads, as evident with galloping inflation rates, huge foreign debts and unprecedented high foreign exchange rates. The expected economic gains from floating of the Naira and removal of fuel subsidy have rather impoverished the already battered Nigerians as prices of food and services continue to soar. The Committee notes with commendation the firming up and relative stability of the Naira in the official window, and therefore urges the government and fiscal authorities to pay more attention to mechanised agriculture, industrialization, infrastructure and solid minerals to boost productivity and improve the lives of the citizenry.

5. Nigerian Youths and Unemployment:

The high rate of unemployment in the country has not abated. The Meeting therefore condemns acts of some youths getting involved in different anti-social and criminal activities. Thus, strongly advises them to desist and begin to lead a very productive and meaningful life to themselves and the society at large.

The Meeting also requests the government and stakeholders at all levels of the nation, to ensure that our teeming youths population are provided with the requisite environment that will enhance good employments and engagements for our youths.

6. Health:

The challenges in Nigeria’s health sector are obvious as can be seen from acute understaffing in our hospitals, poor doctor-to-patient ratios, and poor facilities which compromise healthcare deliverables. The Standing Committee frowns at the allocation of only 5.18% to the health sector in the 2025 budget, falling far short of the 15% Commitment made during the Abuja Declaration in 2021. This budget signals a lack of prioritization for the health of Nigerians.

The Committee is worried about the recent suspension of USAID funding, which jeopardises vital programmes for maternal and child health, malaria, and HIV/AIDS treatment. This withdrawal impacts millions of vulnerable Nigerians and highlights the country’s over reliance on international aid.

The Committee therefore demands a substantial increase in funding and improved management of allocated resources to healthcare and urges that the government should pursue sustainable local funding solutions for its healthcare system.

7. Politics and Governance:

The Standing Committee notes that it is just less than halfway into the tenure of the current administration and that some political office holders have abandoned governance to pursue their reelection in 2027. This is rather too early and insensitive to the ugly plight of the suffering masses. The Committee therefore makes a clarion call to all our politicians and those seeking elective offices to concentrate on giving the citizens democratic dividends as promised. The polity should not be heated up, thereby making politics a blood bath and  governance about the selfish interest of the political class.

8. The Judiciary:

The Standing Committee reiterates the unique and dual role of the Judiciary as the principal stabilizer of the Nigerian polity and the proverbial last-hope of the common man. Therefore, the State must protect a free, independent and impartial Judiciary. The Committee deplores all acts, policies and practices that assault and undermine the reality of a free and independent Judiciary, and therefore calls on other branches of government, the Judicial Service Commission of the Federation and of the States, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to ensure that the mode of appointment and removal of Judges, tenure , general welfare and freedom from political interference are always upheld.

The Committee also calls on the Judiciary itself to always live up to its attributes as a free, independent and impartial institution. Judges and every other person empowered by law to adjudicate on disputes should endeavour to be free of corrupt tendencies and carry out their duties with the fear of God, who is the Ultimate Judge.

9. Education:

The bedrock of development of any society is education. The Committee notes with concern the confusion surrounding the national policy on education at all levels. This uncertainty needs clarity.

10. Gender-Based Violence:

The Standing Committee observes with dismay the incessant and prevalent gender-based violence in our society especially against women, the girl-child, orphans and widows. The Committee vehemently decries these incidents and calls on relevant agencies of government to intensify efforts at detection and prosecution of perpetrators to ensure they do not go unpunished. A transformational response should also be put in place by the government and the Church to forestall such violence in our homes, schools and work places.

CONCLUSION:

God has called us for peace, He dwells in and among us, working through His Word and the Holy Spirit to sanctify and empower us to live in victory. Though tribes and tongues may differ, yet the oneness and interconnectedness of Nigerians if harmonized can engender peace, harmony and growth of our nation Nigeria.

Signed by:

The Most Rev’d. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, DD      

(Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria)

Most Rev’d. Dr. Blessing C. Enyindah

(Dean, Church of Nigeria)

Ven. Dr. Paul G. Dajur

(General Secretary, Church Of Nigeria).

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