COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE NINTH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF UGHELLI (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) HELD FROM SATURDAY 27^TH APRIL – WEDNESDAY 1^ST MAY, 2024 AT ST. LUKE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, ENERHEN, UVWIE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, DELTA STATE.

PREAMBLE

The Third Session of the Ninth Synod of the Diocese of Ughelli (Anglican Communion) in the Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel, was held at St. Luke’s Church, Enerhen in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, from Saturday 27^thApril to Wednesday 1^st May, 2024. The Synod was presided over by the Diocesan, the Most Rev’d C. O. Odutemu, Ph.D, JP, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The guest preacher who doubled as the Bible Study Leader, was the Rt. Rev’d Stanley Fube, the Bishop of the Diocese of Langtang. Also present at the Synod were; the Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sir Monday Onyeme (who also represented the Governor), the Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, other top government functionaries, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Prof. Idehen and other members of the Faculty as well as a galaxy of Anglican Bishops and Archbishops and some notable traditional rulers.

The theme of the Synod was, “You are Christ’s Ambassador: Believers’ Heritage and Responsibilities” (2Cor. 5:20). The message of the theme was lucidly exposed and powerfully conveyed through a very well researched and thought-provoking Charge delivered by the President of Synod, the inspiring Sermons and the enriching Bible Study sessions led by the guest preacher, and the discussions of relevant issues. At the end of proceedings, Synod issues a communiqué as follows:

ON SYNOD THEME

Synod established the fact that all Christians carry the mandate to represent Christ in the world. As many as are saved through faith in the salvific work of Christ, have been reconciled to God, called to the knowledge of Him and also commissioned by Him to carry on the ministry of reconciliation by reaching the unreached in the world as His representatives wherever we find ourselves. As citizens of heaven, being ambassadors of Jesus Christ and His kingdom is such a highly privileged position that no Christian has any excuse to fail in this regard.

Synod therefore charges Christians all over the world particularly in Nigeria to be alive to their responsibilities as Christ’s ambassadors by living the kingdom lifestyle, exhibiting the character of Christ, engaging in multi-dimensional evangelism, works of charity and striving to maintain their integrity in the midst of many challenges and distractions in the form of betrayal of trust, false accusations, trials and persecutions, etc. This will enable them to enjoy the privileges of the presence of Christ, protection from Satanic schemes, effective exercise of Christ’s authority and the assurance of eternity among others.

ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

Synod notes with grave concern the Israel/Gaza conflict and the Russia/Ukraine protracted war, urging the Christian community to intensify prayers for global peace while also tasking the key players and world leaders not to escalate the tensions but to toe the line of peace.

ON THE STATE OF THE NATION

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT:

Synod commends the initiative of the Federal Government in flagging off the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway project designed to connect Lagos and Cross River States through Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States. This is no doubt a remarkable development that resonates a new vista of hope for the coastal belt of the country. Synod, however, urges the Government not to be unmindful of the existing 1,400 kilometers Lagos to Calabar Standard gauge coastal railway project initiated by previous administrations, but to give it equal attention so that it will not be abandoned.

INSECURITY:

Synod laments the continued state of insecurity in the country. The recurring attacks in Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Kaduna, Delta, Enugu, and other parts of the country by insurgents, bandits, marauding herdsmen, kidnappers and other criminals have reached unbearable proportion. While advising citizens to be security conscious and take proactive measures in order to avoid falling victims, Synod calls on the government and all security agencies to rise to their responsibilities of protecting lives and property of the citizenry. The Federal government should seriously consider the restructuring of the Armed Forces and the creation of State Police as part of the strategies to successfully tackle insecurity.

ECONOMY:

Synod observes with great concern the deplorable state of the economy which has continued its downward trajectory with all macro economic indicators moving in discouraging directions. The government over-dependence on borrowings, inconsistence economic policies, free-fall of the Nigerian currency to unprecedented levels and skyrocketing / constant fluctuating prices of commodities, have brought the economy to abysmal level and further exacerbated hardship on Nigerians. It is common knowledge that people are dying in great numbers as a result of the current situation. Synod, therefore, calls on the government as a matter of urgency to re-evaluate and review its economic policies in order to diversify and revamp the ailing economy with a view to mitigating the adverse effect of subsidy removal on petroleum products on the people.

POWER AND ENERGY:

Synod notes with dismay the terrible state of power supply across the Country which seems to have translated into a perennial and intractable problem. While electricity tariffs keep going up, the power supply seems to be going down so that Nigerians are paying for darkness rather than light especially as the electricity companies and government seem not to be making any reasonable effort to improve the situation. Synod urges the government to declare a state of emergency on the power sector and take urgent steps to review it. The Geometric Power Plant model in Abia State which has guaranteed constant power supply to part of the State and as a result is boosting economic activities, should be replicated in other States of the federation. In the same vein, Government should give serious attention to the energy sector by encouraging more investments such as Dangote refinery and modular refineries to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products to meet local demands. Government should also consider how to encourage and develop home grown local refining technology to standard rather than destroying them with their products. Apart from creating employment opportunities, these efforts will also reduce the prices of petroleum products.  

EDUCATION:

Synod wishes to draw the attention of the government to the need to provide quality education to her citizenry since education plays a vital role in national development. A situation where many Nigerians seek admissions in other Countries or prefer private educational institutions is not a good reputation for our Country. Synod also strongly advises the Federal Government to be cautious as it considers reviewing the age of admission into tertiary institutions in the country as reportedly expressed by the Minister of Education recently, in order not to discourage the advancement of our children who demonstrate a high level of brilliance or giftedness, or to inadvertently encourage idleness or promote involvement in social vices.

ON DELTA STATE

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT:

Synod highly commends the commitment of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration in the continuation of projects inherited from the previous government while also initiating new people-oriented policies, programmes and projects in many areas all in the pursuit of the M.O.R.E. agenda. Synod is particularly happy with the progress of work on the Orere bridge and the fly-overs of DSC Roundabout, PTI and Enerhen Juncions. However, Synod prays with great expectations that these legacy projects will be successfully completed and commissioned by this administration in no distant time.

WELFARE OF CIVIL SERVANTS:

Synod salutes the courage of the State Government in the payment of arrears to civil servants. Synod also implores our amiable Governor to keep up this good record as it will in turn, not only put smiles on the faces of workers, but enhance productivity. Synod however notes with great concern the delay in the payment of retirement benefits of our senior citizens of whom many have died without receiving their benefits. While we commend the recent efforts of our Governor in payment of some pension areas, Synod urges the government to overhaul the system and try as much as possible to pay pensioners within six months after retirement.

COMMUNUAL CRISES:

Synod is saddened by the unfortunate killings of officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the reprisal action by the army which led to the reported killings of many innocent people (with many still missing), the sacking and complete destruction of Okuama, a peaceful community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Synod strongly appeals for a thorough and unbiased investigation of all direct and remote causes and outcomes with a view to finding a lasting solution and restoring peace to Okuama and its neighboring communities. In the same vein, Synod implores the State Government to intervene in the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh crisis and ensure that peace is fully restored to both communities.

CONCLUSION

Synod congratulates the President of Synod and all delegates on the success of the Ninth Synod.

The Most Revd. Cyril O. Odutemu, Ph.D, JP         Ven. Oghomena D-Edjere, Ph. D

President of Synod                                                       Clerical Synod Secretary

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