Anglican Church declares war on nakedness
CONN/490805
Abuja, Aug. 22, 2005- Wife of the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Nigeria, Mrs. Susan Akinola, has said that it was time for everyone to join hands to stem the spate of indecent dressing, especially among the youth.
Addressing a rally on “War against Nakedness'' on Saturday in Abuja, Mrs. Akinola asked parents to participate actively in efforts to redress the situation.
“At such time as this, we are called as parents sometimes to listen, sometimes to speak out...but we are called to be caring and to act.''
She said many young people copied what they saw on television, videos and admonished that “we need to watch what we see.''
The primate's wife described indecent dressing as involving clothes, which were `` near nudity for females and the plaiting of hair and wearing of earrings by men,'' saying these were all unbiblical.
“Operation dress well is about moderation, using your body to the glory of God, '' she said and asked youths not to be lured by “sweet promises and enticement with money for the sake of fashion'' but to strive to cover their bodies.
Speaking in similar vein, Mrs. Martha Owuzurumba, another resource person at the rally, spoke on reproductive health and sexual rights.
Owuzurumba, another priest's wife, called for equitable, responsive sexual development, especially for adolescents.
She listed various landmarks in the growth of the adolescent as well as the physical and emotional resultant complications.
She appealed to parents and guardians to assist young adults to reduce the stress experienced by them during the period as well as help them transit smoothly to adulthood.
Mrs. Onwuzurumba asked young people to shun risky behaviours, such as drug abuse, saying they should stay away from abortion, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and to constantly communicate with parents and guardians.
Mrs. Belema Otache spoke on the ‘Total Child’. She asked children to ensure both physical and spiritual cleanliness, stressing that they should be true Christians and not “play religion.”
Youth Chaplain of the Anglican Church, Rev. Canon Syrenius Okoriko, said the war against nakedness should start from our mothers, who buy skimpy clothes for the young people.
He said it was regrettable that majority of youths, for whom the event was organized, chose to stay away, advising that youths should ensure that their actions were biblical.
Women's Chaplain Ven. Peter Okorunmade congratulated the women for taking the initiative to launch the fight against nakedness.
He asked parents to “take time off to ensure that those under them were well dressed” and advised Christian youths to correct their peers in love.
Mrs. Gloria Chuba, another resource person, said the war against nakedness should be well prosecuted so as to be won.
She traced the history of Adam and Eve, saying nakedness often brought shame, except among married couples.
She said current trend in dressing distracted and diverted attention from important things while “spiritual nakedness exposed one to danger and leads to immorality and death.''
