Conference wants F.G, Labour to de-emphasize paper qualifications
CONN/510805
August 25, 2005- Delegates to the 48th annual National Bible Study Conference of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (Nigeria) have asked the federal government and employers of labour to place more emphasis on practical work than paper-qualifications.
A communiqué issued at the end of the conference held in Owerri, with the theme Going with God in times These’, said this would curb the lure of paper-qualifications by some Nigerians, who would go any length to acquire a certificate not matched with performance.
Conference delegates described as unfortunate the falling standard of education in the country and decried the prevalence of ‘life question papers’ being sold in open market without the security agencies apprehending anyone.
Delegates noted the prevalent poverty in the country and called on the federal government to invest the windfall from the crude oil price to reduce the level of poverty. It called on government officials to invest their money in Nigeria. It expressed worry over the nefarious activities of politicians hustling for elective positions in 2007 and appealed on all Christians to be prayerful and ‘go along with God' in times like these.
Conference delegates were of the opinion that the recent debt relief by the Paris Club was capable of reducing, if not totally eradicating unemployment in Nigeria. It urged the government to make judicious use of vast human and material resources in the country.
On the anti- corruption campaign being championed by President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, the delegates implored government agencies responsible for handling such offences to be honest and transparent.
Delegates also reminded young people to abstain from indiscriminate sexual relations, to avoid contacting HIV/AIDS. It stated that Christians all over the world should maintain sexual relationships with only their marital partners, according to the Bible teaching of marriage, which is between a man and a woman.
The Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev Peter Akinola was commended for the creation of additional dioceses but was advised that ‘proliferation of dioceses would not be in the interest of the Church.’
On the establishment of Ajayi Crowther University, the youths lauded the vision of the Church hierarchy but advised that ‘more Anglican youths should be considered for admission into the university.’
The Conference was attended by over 5000 delegates from 65 of the 94 dioceses of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
