COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 3RD SESSION OF THE 16TH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF ASABA HELD FROM THURSDAY, 2ND TO SUNDAY, 5TH, MAY 2024 AT ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH, OKPANAM, OSIDMILI­ NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

The 3^rd Session of the 16^th Synod of the Diocese of Asaba held under the guidance and protection of the Almighty God at St. Andrew’s Church, Okpanam from Thursday, 2^nd – Sunday, 5^th May, 2024 with the theme: One Body, Many Parts – A Metaphoric Representation of the Church (The Body of Christ)” -1 Corinthians 12:12. It was presided over by the Bishop and President of Synod, The Rt. Rev’d Kingsley Chukwukamadu Obuh, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Comfort Nkechiyem Obuh (President, Mothers’ Union, Women’s Guild, Ladies and Girls’ Guild, Diocese of Asaba). Official delegates were 307 comprising members of the House of Bishop, Clergy and Laity: House of Bishop 1, Serving Clergy in the Diocese 121, Indigenous Clergy in attendance serving outside the Diocese 11, Retired Clergy 17 and Laity 157.

In attendance as Special Guests were the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sherriff F. 0. Oborevwori, represented by Hon. Prince J. 0. P. Erijo (Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Delta State), Most Rev. Dr. Cyril Odutemu, Archbishop of Bendel Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ughelli; Rt. Rev. Festus U. Nwafili, Bishop ofNdokwa and the Synod Preacher. Also, in attendance were 16 other Bishops from other Dioceses of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

APPRECIATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS

The Synod congratulates His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff F. 0. Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State and His Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme on their election victory at the Supreme Court. Synod also appreciates His Excellency for the way he has managed the State for the past one year as Governor of Delta State.

Synod also congratulates His Lordship, the Rt. Rev. Festus Uzorka Nwafili, our Synod Preacher on his election, consecration and enthronement as the 2nd Bishop of the Diocese ofNdokwa.

SYNOD THEME

The theme of Synod was “One Body, Many Parts: A Metaphoric Representation of the Church (The Body of Christ)” 1 Corinthians 12: 12. The theme expresses the mystical union of Christ with His Church, which is the essence of unity in the body of Christ. The understanding of this “Divine Will” should encourage believers to work together in love towards fulfilling the Great Commission and winning souls for Christ. The theme is particularly apt and challenges the Church, the nations and even families to strive towards the unity of the spirit in avowed commitment to peace, love and progress, and to developing platforms for social welfare and wellbeing of every citizen.

STATE OF THE NATION

Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic cns1s m generations, leading to wide spread hardship and anger. The Synod notes with dismay that since the removal of fuel subsidy, floating of the Naira, increased interest rates and electricity tariff, etc. by the Federal Government, the price of petrol has tripled, the market cost of food items and other goods and services have all gone up. Due to this biting economic reform of the President Bola Tinubu led-

Administration, life has become unbearable for Nigerians and has led ultimately to high cost of living, hunger and suffering. Synod calls on the Federal Government to address the issue of poverty in Nigeria, by effectively implementing the socio-economic policies and plans geared towards improving the living standards of citizens.

INSECURITY

Synod frowns at the continuous insecurity situation in the country as Federal Government appears helpless in its campaign to halt the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. In consequence, this posture has emboldened criminal elements and ethnic militias to perpetrate various forms of criminality like kidnapping, banditry, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, etc. in the country with impunity. Of particular concern is the menace of Fulani herdsmen who have occupied the bushes and farmlands in many communities, and this has adversely affected food production in the country. In this connection, Synod calls on the Federal Government to re-strategize and rise up to the occasion by setting up an Inter-security agency Task Force charged solely with the responsibility of tackling this menace with finality.

DECAY IN POWER SECTOR AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Synod recalls with sadness that it has made frequent calls in the past for improvement in the energy sector to no avail. Nigeria has been faced with power generation and distribution challenges overtime, which has aggravated calls for reforms in the power sector in recent times. Synod calls on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to revamp the current shortage of power supply in the national grid which has adversely affected the general health and economic development of the nation. Synod further encourages the States to embark on independent power plants as the case in Abia State.

STATE POLICE

Synod observes with regret that for over a decade, criminality has been on the increase in the country leaving law abiding citizens of Nigeria at the mercy of criminals who now carry on their crimes with impunity and even go unpunished when detected, owing to low capacity of our Police personnel in the area of crime detection, investigation and prosecution. Consequently, Synod calls for a total overhauling of the structure of policing at both the national and sub­ national levels by giving more serious considerations to the much talked about State Police structure. Furthermore, Synod advocates that those to be deployed to handle security at the community level should include indigenes of those communities.

EDUCATION

Synod decries the falling standard of education in Nigeria and the failure of Government to provide quality education for her citizenry. This situation has been orchestrated by several factors including learner’s lack of interest, infrastructural deficiency, moral decadence at home and society, poor quality of teachers, and general corruption in education sector. The recent result of candidates in the 2024 UTME is a clear case. Synod, once again calls on Government at all levels to collectively declare a State of Emergency on education in Nigeria and convoke a National Summit on Education as a matter of urgency to address the nagging problems.

MENINGITIS VACCINE

On a positive note, Synod wishes to commend the Federal Government and in particular, the Health sector, for Nigeria being the first country in the world to roll out a new meningitis vaccine called Men5CV. It has already been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO). The revolutionary new vaccme

offers a powerful shield against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria (A, C, Y and X) in a single shot. All five strains cause meningitis and blood poisoning. This provides broader protection than the current vaccine used in much of Africa, which is only effective against the A strain. This is but a signal that with enabling environment, more good things are sure to come out of Nigeria. Synod urges the Federal Government to encourage more research in other institutions.

OKUAMA KILLINGS

The Church is saddened by the spate of killings in the Niger Delta Communities, especially, the incident involving the killing of 17 military personnel and indigenes of OKUAMA in Ughelli South L.G.A. of Delta State. The Synod sympathizes with all the families that have been affected by this unfortunate incident and calls on the Federal Government to handle the matter with a peaceful approach to forestall further bloodshed and sufferings. Synod also commends the State Governor Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff F. 0. Oborevwori for his commitment to peace building and interventions towards resolving the crisis. Synod also commends the Senators representing the three Senatorial Districts in Delta State for the positive roles they have played towards resolving the Okuama crises. Furthermore, Synod calls the attention of the Federal Government to the urgent need for innocent members of Okuama community, who ran into the bush, to return back to their ancestral home.

DELTA STATE–THE M.O.R.E. AGENDA

The Synod commends the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff F. 0. Oborevwori for his visionary leadership through the M.O.R.E. Agenda which connotes (M. – Meaningful development, 0. Opportunities for all Deltans, R. – Realistic reforms, E – Enhanced peace and security). Synod

expects that the implementation of the M.O.R.E. Agenda will enhance Human Capital Development, Job Creation, Health Reforms, Infrastructural Renewal, Peace and Security, in Delta State.

DRUG ABUSE, CULTISM AND CYBERCRIME

Synod condemns the alarming rate at which hard substances abuse is reported amongst Nigerian youths today. The use of illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, opioids, etc. is known to be on the increase in our society. This vice is closely associated with cultism, cybercrime, and ritual killings for money. Synod, therefore, calls on parents on the one hand to be alive to their parental responsibilities and, the security agencies on the other hand to be more proactive in their fight against these social vices. Synod also calls on Government at all levels to create enabling environment for jobs to be created so that our restive youths can be gainfully employed.

BRAIN DRAIN

Synod expresses deep concern over the rate of migration of Nigeria’s best brains and skilled workers out of the country. This sad phenomenon, commonly referred to as “Japa” is not unconnected with the economic hardship and insecurity Nigerians are experiencing today. The best of our professionals and artisans in all sectors of our economy are leaving the country in droves for greener pasture elsewhere. Synod calls on Government to take urgent steps to reverse this unpleasant trend by approving realistic and sustainable living wage for Nigerian workers and simultaneously provide facilities that would stimulate productivity. Synod further calls on Government to live up to its responsibility by providing enabling environment for our industries to thrive and generate employment opportunities.

ECUMENICAL CHALLENGES

While there have been efforts towards ecumemsm (the promotion of unity among Christian denominations), significant challenges remain. Differences in ecclesiology, liturgy, sacramental practices, and theological perspectives continue to impede progress towards greater unity among modem day Christians and churches. Synod, therefore, calls on all Christians irrespective of denominations, to unite to serve the Lord, especially in the face of terrorism and threats against her existence to defend the Gospel’s cause and support one another.

CONCLUSION

As the Church (the Body of Christ), we are called to worship and serve the Lord in spirit and in truth, and to work together in unity to fulfil the Divine purpose of our call to preach the Gospel and to build up the Church of God. Since the Church is one foundation with Jesus Christ as its Lord and chief cornerstone, every Christian must see himself/herself as a part of this body. Synod therefore, calls on all citizens of Nigeria to co-operate and promote all that makes for peace towards building a prosperous and virile society.

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