Church of Nigeria to boost social welfare services
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Ven. Ebisike: “Widows, widowers, destitute, the homeless and the nomads are being targeted in the reinvigorated welfare policy of the Church.”
Abuja, May 18, 2005- Poised to meet the social needs of the society, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is to establish social welfare departments in the 91-dioceses of the Province of Nigeria.
Director of Social Welfare of the Church of Nigeria Ven. Christian Ebisike said the department will also be responsible for caring, health, youth evangelism and education programme of the Church.
It would also fashion out polices and programmes related to social services while working out modalities of health care delivery to members and non-members of the Church.
According to Ven. Ebisike a network of social welfare departments in the various dioceses would bring proper coordination and improved skills in administering the social needs of the people.
At present some dioceses operate health clinics and such centers serve as avenues for evangelism. And the National Church programme to double her 17-million population size in the next three years could find expression in the establishment and improvement of health clinic and hospitals.
The Social Director said widows, widowers, destitute, the homeless and the nomads are being targeted in the reinvigorated welfare policy of the Church.
The amount to be spent is not yet clear but the Church is very committed to the programme.
Local congregations operate care-groups that run food-banks and provide financial support to needy members of the society.
Education
Another area the welfare departments are expected to muster is the education about the doctrine of the Anglican Communion to both young and old.
In 2000, during the presentation of Archbishop Peter Akinola as the Primate of All Nigeria, he expressed worry on the ‘migration’ of members to other denominations.
The teaching of Anglican doctrines at nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions owned by the church would be ensured and supervised by the welfare group.
The history of formal education in Nigeria was championed by the Missionary societies particularly the Church Missionary Society (CMS).
Critics say the government take-over of mission owned schools contributed to the decline of the quality of education in Nigeria.
The Anglican Church had repeatedly canvassed for the return of mission schools previously taken over by government.
“It is the task of the social welfare departments to ensure that as government relinquishes its hold on these mission schools, the Church is combat ready to provide the long-awaited alternative,” Ebisike said.
