Bishop of Western Izon Ordains 50

Bishop of Western Izon Ordains 50
CONN/320506
May 31, 2006- Patani, Delta State- Nine months after his enthronement as Bishop of the riverine diocese of Western Izon, the Rt. Rev Edafe Emamezi on Sunday, May 7 presided over the maiden ordination of his diocese, ordaining 27 deacons and commissioning 23 missionaries respectively.
In a 5-hour service held at the Cathedral Church of St Matthew Patani, Delta State, Bishop Emamezi assisted by clergy and the legal luminaries of the diocese led the newly ordained and their wives to pledge their commitment to the ministry of the gospel.
The Bishop described the ordained and commissioned missionaries as people with a burning desire to 'penetrate the creeks of the Niger Delta in order to make Christ known, despite of all the inconveniences involved.'
The personality of the newly ordained came from the academia, medical profession, engineering, business managers, Independent oil marketers and top management staff in the oil and gas industry. Two women were among the commissioned missionaries.
Another thrilling episode at the occasion was the ordination of Rev Simeon Ariye, the first indigenous Anglican clergy in the Ijaw-speaking Patani community. His ordination is some 105 years after the introduction of Christianity in the area.
The historic occasion came on the heels of last month's attack on the Cathedral church at Patani by some cult worshippers opposed to Christianity in the area. They destroyed property worth over N3.2 million.
Bishop Emamezi, who could not hide his excitement after completing the marathon service, declared that the ordination marks the consolidation of the vision of the diocese to go and make fishers of men who will eventually transform the communities.
He was quick to recall that in November 2005, the diocese set a target of planting Anglican churches in 116 identified communities located in the creeks and interior of the Niger Delta community.
In response to a question about the number of persons ordained in one single service, Emamezi said: "It is the urgency of the work of missions."
He added: "Jesus said: 'the harvest is plenteous but the labourers are few and he asked us to pray specifically to the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers to the field."
"You know that when the harvest is ripe and there is no harvest the fruits will get rotten. That is the urgency. That is the significance of the ordination," he said.
In an apparent show of support for missionary work in the young diocese, dignitaries at the event announced various form of donations. These included scholarships for the clergy, equipment and funds to facility to aid missions in the area. A lot of both financial and material support is however still needed.
Bishop Emamezi announced that a local Chief in the area handled the cost of replacing the damaged equipment in the Cathedral torched by the rampaging traditional cult worshippers last month
Venerable Albert Nedozi of the Diocese of Oleh, who preached at the service, stressed the challenge of being called to work in a new missionary diocese.
He charged the newly ordained to prove faithful to the trust bestowed on them. "There should be no triviality. No compromise. No unnecessary unscriptural agreement. You must be responsible and accountable”.

Fulani Anglican missionary diocese to be based in Jos

Fulani Anglican missionary diocese to be based in Jos
CONN/330506
Abuja, May 31, 2006- The See of the proposed non-geographic Fulani Missionary Diocese, for the predominantly nomadic herdsmen around the country, will be based in Jos, Plateau State.
Also, the Episcopal succession process in the Church of Nigeria has been restructured.
Archbishop Peter Akinola disclosed this to the synod of the diocese of Abuja which met this month at All Saints Church Wuse.
He told delegates that the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) during her meeting in February authorized the immediate creation of a non-geographic Fulani missionary diocese.
He said before the end of the year a bishop will be elected to oversee the planned mission to some 12 million Fulani herdsmen around the country.
There are only 3000 Fulani Christians in the country out of which Anglicans number about 200. The Rt. Rev Ali Baba Lamido, Bishop of Wusasa, Zaria in Kaduna State is the only Bishop from the Fulani extract in the Church of Nigeria House of Bishops.
On the Episcopal succession, Archbishop Akinola explained that the new Bishop of a diocese will be elected at least three months before the retiring

Bishop challenges Nigerians on work ethics

Bishop challenges Nigerians on work ethics
CONN/340506
Abuja, May 31, 2006- The Rt. Rev Duke Akamisoko, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Zonkwa is concerned over the nation’s attitude to work and wants a reduction in the number of public holidays observed in the country.
Addressing the second session of the sixth session of the diocese of Abuja, Bishop Akamisoko said the nation’s level of productivity is suffering because a lot of Nigerians are lazy and idle at the expense of genuine hard work.
The Bishop, who was the Guest preacher at the synod with the theme ‘Work For the Night is Coming’- John 9:4 used the occasion of his series of sermon to argue that hard work is a divine injunction from God which must be obeyed by all Christians.
He believes “Nigeria is falling apart because our people, from the leadership to the followers are not ready to work. Everywhere you go today you will meet people who are not ready to work.”
“In government offices, private office, they now watch TV while at work. If our nation must be great we must change our attitude towards work. We must be hard workers. That is where the hope of our nation lies.”
The Bishop said great nations of the world was built on the sweat and blood of labour, he however expressed concern whether the same could be said of the country.
He took a swipe on the number of public holidays observed in the country.
“ In Nigeria we have the following rest days: “52 Sundays, 52 Saturdays, 2 days for Eid-El- Kabir, 2 days for Eid-El Fitri, 2 days for Christmas, 2 days for Easter, 1 day for EI-Maulud and 1 day for Democracy Day. ”
“1 day for Independence celebration, 1 day for workers day and 1 day for Children's day. That totals 117 days for holidays.” “Imagine 117 days instead of 52 days for rest! This is official for every Nigerian.”
“For civilian servant it is more: Junior staff, 4 weeks holidays or 28 days, senior staff, 6 weeks holidays (42 days).“If we sum the official 117 days and the 28 days for Junior staff that equals 145 days of holiday and for the senior staff, 159 days of holiday!
He asked the synod delegates and visitors which included top government officials: “How can we make progress with this attitude and lifestyle?”
Reminding Christians to have the right attitude toward work, the Bishop averred “the principle of our acting as salt and light in society must surely have particular references to the sphere of our daily work.”
Also at the synod, a report presented by the Directorate of Hospital and Prisons Chaplaincy expressed concern over the state of Kuje Federal Prison in Abuja.
Ven Ik. Okpuno, Director of Hospital and Prisons Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Abuja said the biggest problem facing the prison was the ever increasing population of inmates which is over stretching the existing facilities.
The cells have become congested…the toilets and water supply are inadequate… when the population was over 300, we were talking about congestion, now that it has gone beyond 580; the place is far below standard for human existence,” he said.
He appealed to the Church to call on the government to speed up the process of dispensation of justice toward reducing the population in the prison.
The report also acknowledged that the Anglican Hospital and Prisons chaplaincy has a place of worship for the ‘girls’ at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) shelter in Abuja.
A communiqué issued by the synod observed that the high rate of unemployment in the country was partly because Nigerians have preference for white collar jobs than self employment.
It also criticized the dependence on house-help to run homes. “The engagement of house-help in the home is militating against the inculcation of good work habits in our children,” the synod said.
The Church was urged to encourage parents to de-emphasis the use of house-helps and concentrate on teaching their children the virtues of hard work.
On the nation, the communiqué advised that the fight against corruption and indolence should include timely release and proper utilization of funds meant foe the nation’s development.
The second session of the sixth synod of the diocese of Abuja was held at All Saints Church Wuse. Some 129 delegates attended the synod presided by the Bishop of Abuja and Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev Peter Akinola.

EFCC, ICPC, SSS, have failed Nigeria, Says CAN President

PRESS RELEASE

EFCC, ICPC, SSS, have failed Nigeria, Says CAN President

Government anti- corruption agencies, security organisations as well as the nation’s religious and traditional institutions have failed in the fight against the cankerworm of corruption that is destroying the country and are therefore all contributing to the slow progress Nigeria is making towards development.
This assertion was made at the weekend in Lagos by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev Peter Akinola during a thanksgiving service in honour of the retiring Justice of the Supreme Court – Hon. Justice A.O. Ejiwumi at the All Saints Church, Yaba, Lagos.
Akinola cited widely publicised cases like the missing 12 billion US Dollars from the gulf war oil windfall linked to former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida, the allegation by the FCT minister, Malam Nasir El Rufai that some members of the National Assembly demanded N50 million bribe to confirm his ministerial appointment. The money was allegedly said to have been paid by a top government functionary.
Reference was also made to the recent probe of deputy senate president Ibrahim Mantu on allegation of his looting the National Assembly treasury. All such cases have not led to any successful trial or conviction despite the well kept detailed dossiers on most Nigerian personalities by the State Security Service (SSS).
He wondered why celebrated cases involving prominent personalities in the country get swept under the carpet while such people later come around to flaunt their ill- gotten wealth using such to purchase political offices and to perpetuate injustice.
Renaming the Poverty Alleviation Programme as Poverty Elevation, he explained that those who were to alleviate poverty are busy sharing the money allocated to the programme amongst themselves and thereby impoverishing the downtrodden, widening and increasing the poverty gap and elevating the sufferings of the less privileged.
He said all such people are ‘selfishly rich’. The Archbishop called for repentance. However those who failed to repent can expect the curses outlined in Micah 6: 13 – 15 and Jeremiah 17:11

a) “Therefore I have begun to smite you, making you desolate because of your sins. You shall eat, but not be satisfied, and there shall be hunger in your inward parts; you shall put away, but not save, and what you save I will give to the sword. You shall sow, but not reap; you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil; you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine.”
b) “As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his end shall be a fool.”
Coming down hard on the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to have nailed many corrupt leaders. Archbishop Akinola said the anti-corruption agencies obviously have some sacred cows.
Prosecuting them is considered politically inexpedient. For us however, not making them face the rigours of the law is spiritually suicidal.
The Archbishop lamented that Nigerian traditional institutions are busy outdoing themselves in the sale of traditional chieftaincy titles to the highest bidders, the religious organisations are obsessed with the proclamation of prosperity and turning a blind eye to injustice. Wealth is glorified to the detriment of justice.
For Nigeria to be blessed, the CAN president referred to Amos 5: 24.

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Earlier, CAN President extolled Justice Ejiwumi as one of the very few incorruptible judges in the country, who has no price tag on his forehead and would even fearlessly give judgment against his employer, making himself unpopular but with a clear conscience. He prayed God to give the country a judiciary made up of such upright judges that cannot be bought. A judiciary which will not be an appendage of any ruling political party.


Signed,


The Rev. Canon Akintunde Popoola
Director, Communication

Anglican Women at it again: ‘War against Nakedness!’

Anglican Women at it again: ‘War against Nakedness!’
· Mothers pledge their commitment to eradicate indecent dressing

Abuja, May 8, 2006 –Anglican women from Asokoro Archdeaconry of the Anglican Diocese of Abuja just recently staged a rally on ‘War against Nakedness’ at Church of Epiphany, Garki - Abuja.
It will be recalled that a similar gathering took place in August last year (2005) where the wife of the Primate, Mrs. Susan Akinola called on parents and everyone concerned to join hands to stem the spate of indecent dressing especially among the youth.
The rally which had mostly women and the youth in attendance featured sessions of prayer, drama and talks with the theme “Operation Cover –Up”.
Sensitizing the gathering on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Mrs. Ebele Achor (a social worker) explained the different modes of transmission of the virus and cautioned the women on the need to protect themselves as they are the most vulnerable folk.
Mrs. Achor also listed some preventive measures such as abstinence, faithfulness as well as knowledge. Emphasizing on knowledge as a very important measure, she said there is the need to pass on the “message” irrespective of the cultural and age barriers on sexuality.
She encouraged mothers to always educate their daughters on sexuality at their early age, noting that children are very curious and would always want to experiment. The Social worker maintained that mothers have got a lot influence on the upbringing of their children and urged them to sustain their children in prayers. “Our children consider us as their confidants, their prayer warriors…and will always come to us if we make ourselves available to them”, she said.
Another Speaker at the event, Mrs. Susan Davies (a clergy wife) who spoke convincingly on the topic ‘Dressing to please God’ highlighted the need to balance both the spiritual and physical needs so as to bring out the glory of God in one’s life. According to her, “The body is an expression of the soul just as the soul is an expression of the body… people dress for different reasons – either to please oneself, to please others or to please God”.
In dressing to please God, Mrs. Davies also advised the Christian ladies to always know the difference between the ‘comfort-ability’ and the ‘fitting’ of the dressing, stressing that “…we can’t make God to love us more by what we wear… if we love God, our manner of dressing should reflect this”.
She however cautioned that in as much as the essence of the gathering was to discourage indecent dressing, pointing fingers on others was not the best way to correct improper dressing. She rather advocated that Christian women should engage the younger ones by talking to them about the love of Jesus and this they can demonstrate through their life style which also include dressing responsibly; adding that beauty in the spirit will definitely reflect on the outside.
The Archdeaconry Women Leader, Mrs. Martha Onwuzurumba who also doubles as the Diocesan Women Worker appealed to the women not to relent on their commitment in fighting immorality and to always endeavour to teach their children about the biblical norms on decent dressing.

Akinola to meet Sultan of Sokoto

Akinola to meet Sultan of Sokoto
Peter Onwubuariri, Abuja
CONN/300506
Abuja, May 25, 2006- The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), The Most Rev Peter Akinola is to meet Nigeria's Muslim leader, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Maccido, early next month.
The meeting is part of an on-going consultation aimed at providing a platform for stability and mutuality between the two major religious groups in the country, after the ripples that emanated from the Danish Cartoon riots in February this year.
Indeed, Archbishop Akinola acknowledged during a media briefing in Abuja that three years after his election as CAN President, the spate of inter-religious conflict in the country continues to be a major challenge.
“God didn’t make a mistake in allowing the two religions to be prevalent in the country we must learn to live together as one family and one people,” he said.
“If one section believes in violence and the other section wants to retaliate, Nigeria will simply burn,” Akinola said, adding “and if Nigeria burns then there will be no Nigeria left. It is important that Muslims and Christians must learn to live together as one people.”
The CAN President told journalists that the continuing need to work for peace, justice and tolerance is high on the agenda of the Church and Christians in the country.
On the recent disruption of church activities in two separate Anglican dioceses- On the Coast and Western Izon - by traditional cult worshippers, Akinola said the Church must be encouraged to overcome.
“There is a constant battle between light and darkness. It is an age long battle and it is continuing in our own time. Nobody should be under the illusion that the battle is over. But the joy is that Christ has overcome,” he said.
“We encourage all Christian teachers all over the country to pay attention to this one fact that the battle is a fierce one and we must take the good news of salvation to all nook and crannies in this country.”

The Persecuted Church

The Persecuted Church
By Peter Onwubuariri

The persecution of Christians didn’t fall with Roman Empire. History reminds us of the psychedelic Nero of Rome, who piled up burnt bodies of Christians in Rome, to provide a flame to light the city at night during his reign.
The accusation wrought by Nero, was that Christ-followers were the masterminds behind the burning of Rome and they deserved no less than to be accorded the same.
In March, a peaceful crusade organized by the young missionary Diocese of Western Izon nestled in two oil rich but economic backward states, Delta and Bayelsa, was turned into a bonfire by estranged cult worshippers.
At the end of the coordinated attack on the Cathedral Church of St Matthew Patani, Delta State, headquarters’ of the 7-month old diocese, and the faithful present at the event were scattered and the Holy Cross that adorns the altar was whisked away.
Several persons received the beating of their lives. The windows of the ‘young cathedral’ were smashed. Wrecked was the instruments of some young playing band of the Boy’s Brigade and many more destructions valued at N3.2 million.
Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Western Izon, Edafe Emamezi, in an interview last year, declared that 117 communities have been identified for church planting in the largely riverine diocese.
What the Bishop didn’t realize was that as targets were being set for church planting; many cult worshippers were not at ease with the decision by the church to turn the tables against them.
In 2005, during his maiden Episcopal tour to Ogbotobo, Bayelsa state, a community that produces 45,000 Barrels of crude oil per day, a parishioner presented this plea to the Bishop:
“My Lord Bishop we need a crusade in this area to arrest elements of paganism and atheist culture.”
The man lamented that Ogbotobo community is blessed with rich mineral resources: `With this, there ought to be development projects from oil companies and the government but there seems to be spiritual warfare between the agents of darkness and the hand of God in the community.''
The crisis that occurred in March 2006 was set in Patani, which is more than 60 km away from Ogbotobo. There however seems to be a close resemblance to the cry of the parishioner in Ogbotobo and the actuality in Patani.
Conflict is a fact of life for Christians and other religious groups around the world. Many suffer at the hands of religious majorities, as do Muslims in India, Bah ‘is in Iran and Christians in Pakistan, Indonesia and Vietnam.
But the Nigerian situation is puzzling, particularly in the South of the country where the Christian majority are beginning to suffer in the hands of the minority traditional worshippers.
In Ondo State, Ode-Aye, Okitipupa Local Government Area, adherents of Okute, are becoming very intolerant of Christian worship and praise during their 21-day ‘no-drumming’ festival.
There is a myth that drumbeats during Okute will wade away the good spirits performing a ritual cleansing on the land during those days.
The accusation is that Christians are violating their custom in beating drums thereby inviting evil spirits to the community loaded with infirmities, sicknesses, poverty and a general retrogression in the land.
The result in March this year was the beating to pulp of 5 clergymen in St Christopher’s Anglican Church Ode-Aye, Ondo State and the destruction of property valued at N6 million.
The undesirability of these actions was echoed by the Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev Peter Akinola at the spur of the mayhem in Maiduguri over the Danish cartoon protests.
Akinola urged the federal government and the states where Christian churches had been destroyed "to take urgent steps at rebuilding those structures and paying adequate compensation while assuring Christians of adequate protection in this country".
Christians, Muslims, animists and traditionalists all surely need a peaceful environment to practice their faith in this country.

Anglican Bishop criticizes police handling of assassination attempt

Anglican Bishop criticizes police handling of assassination attempt
By Peter Onwubuariri, Abuja
CONN/250406
April 11, 2006- An Anglican Bishop who escaped assassination last month in Wusasa, Zaria in Kaduna state after his residence was attacked by armed men has criticized police handling of the incident, saying ‘nothing has come out of the investigations made so far’.
In an interview in Abuja, shortly before a meeting of some Anglican Bishops, Bishop of Wusasa, the Rt. Rev Ali Baba Lamido, described the attack on his residence, 4 times within one twelve months, as worrisome and coordinated.
He spoke critically on the security situation in the country, urging the federal and state government to act urgently concerning security around the country.
“It doesn’t seem people are safe in this country. People are attacked on the highways and in their homes”, he said and added “Government should not only address these attacks, they should look at the cause of these crimes and address them.”
Bishop Lamido, who lost one of his workers in the attack by some 20 armed men, last month remarked that not much has been achieved on the security situation in the country.
On the relationship between Christians and Muslim in Kaduna State, the Bishop said a level of understanding has been reached through inter-faith dialogues.
“To some extent, we have achieved some good results; there is a good relationship with the Muslims in the North,” he said.
Lamido, who is the only Bishop of Fulani extraction in the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), also commented on the move by the Church to establish a special mission targeted at Fulani nomads in the country.
“There are over 12 million Fulani in Nigeria and out of this, only about 1000 are Christians of which less than 200 are Anglicans.”
“There is every need to reach out to them with the gospel. Most of them are atheists. The Anglican Church is in a right direction to have a non-geographical diocese and mission to the Fulani,” he said.
Affirming that the mission to the Fulani is bound to be a very hectic job as a lot of energy and resources are required, he disclosed that the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is moving towards recruiting and equipping local Fulani evangelists for the task ahead.

Clergy Wives are to be exemplary Women Leaders

Clergy Wives are to be exemplary Women Leaders

CONN/270406

In a one-day training workshop organized by the Abuja Diocesan Lady Worker, Mrs. Martha Onwuzurumba, clergy wives have been called upon to make their ministry effective by being dedicated to their leadership role.

One of the speakers, Mrs. U. Okpuno who spoke extensively on LEADERSHIP pointed out that clergy wives are naturally leaders by the virtue of the ordinance of their husbands. However, she counseled her contemporaries not to see themselves as political leaders but spiritual leaders in the church whose directive is the Word of God as God expects them to give account of their stewardship.

Citing biblical examples like Miriam, Deborah and Esther, Mrs. Okpuno attributed the success of these great women leaders to their obedience and dependence on the leading of the Holy Spirit. She reiterated that for one to be a good leader, she must be a good follower as Jesus Christ demonstrated in His ministry here on earth.

The clergy wives were also encouraged to make proper planning of their time, programmes and activities as their leadership roles demand continuous multiple meetings with their parishioners.

In her closing remark at the end of the workshop, the Primate’s wife and the Chief Convener, Mrs. Susan Akinola, urged the women to be consistent in prayer and in the study of the Word of God. She said this is a sure way to be effective leaders both at home and in the church.

The 9th Assembly of World Council of Churches (WCC) in Brazil

The 9th Assembly of World Council of Churches (WCC) in Brazil

- Report by Church of Nigeria delegates.

· Christians urged to embrace justice, unity and tolerance

CONN/280406

Delegates from member Churches of the World Council of Churches across the globe, gathered at Port Alegre – Brazil in February 2006 for the 9th Assembly of the WCC.

The event with the central theme : “God in your Grace, transform the World.” featured several plenary meetings on thematic issues bothering on Economic Justice, Overcoming Violence, Church Unity, Christian Identity and Plurality.

On the issue of economic justice, WCC observed that unjust distribution of wealth, natural resources, and opportunities has generated poverty in many parts of the world, and this is becoming a global concern.

The body therefore called for a total transformation of the economy and urged those managing it to intensify their efforts to alleviate poverty, such that those suffering from the pain of marginalization can live a meaningful life.

WCC advised the International Community, States and Local Councils to eschew violence, racial and ethnic sentiments as this is the only way to ensure a stable economy and peaceful polity.

The Assembly also advocated for a visible unity of the Church which is a true reflection of the unity of the Triune God. The delegates maintained that relationships among churches should be dynamically interactive where there will be mutual giving, receiving and accountability.

Delivering his lecture on “Christian Integrity and Religious Plurality” the Archbishop of the Canterbury, The Most Revd. Dr. Rowan Williams called upon the church to redefine its identity and missionary vocation in the midst of religious plurality.

He emphasized that dialogue has become an essential and committed way by which people can live their diversities meaningfully and coherently as humanity in one world created by God.

According to the Anglican prelate, dialogue helps us to understand the ‘otherness’ of the other who is no longer a stranger, but a neighbour. “Globalization has transformed the dialogue with strangers to dialogue with neighbours”, he said.

Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) delegates to the conference included: The Most Revd. Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon (Archbishop, Kaduna Province), The Rt. Revd. Duke Akimisoko ( Bishop, Diocese of Zonkwa), The Ven. Dr. John Olusola Igbari (Director, Inter-Anglican Global Relations, Ecumenical & Inter-faith Dialogue - Church of Nigeria), Dr. Mrs. Bridget Birabi (Women Representative), and Emmanuel Olusegun Akinola – Student (Youth Representative).

Religious Leader Last Hope for Persons with HIV/Aids’

Religious Leader Last Hope for Persons with HIV/Aids’

July 31, 2006- Critical of the fact that HIV/AIDS has not been sufficiently addressed by the Church, Venerable Christian Ebisike, Director of Social Welfare of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has challenged religious leaders to provide hope for people who are living with the pandemic.
In a report presented to the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church to acquaint them on the continuing work of the church on Aids, Ebisike suggested that people living with Aids still faced stigmatization and discrimination.
The Director of Social welfare who is also the National HIV/Aids adviser of the church said ‘as a church, we need to ask ourselves again whether discrimination against persons living with Aids are just and moral.’
He cited that in Kenya, the Anglican Archbishop of Kenya Province, The Most Rev Benjamin Nzimbi apologized to HIV-positive people for comparing the disease to a curse from God.
“Indeed an informed church leadership will know that the religious leader is the last hope for people who learn they have the virus.”
“If the religious leader reacts negatively or is not well equipped, it will be much harder to respond to the pandemic. The choice is ours whether to use our congregations to control AIDS or use AIDS to control our congregations,” he said.
Speaking on the role of the Anglican Church towards effective leadership on AIDS, Dr. Ebisike noted that the battle against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria remains a very complex one.
Critical of what he called ‘clashing cacophony of figures and rates’ emanating from the government, the Anglican expressed dismay over the inability of civil society groups and faith based organizations to present figures because of poor monitoring, documentation and evaluation of their activities.
His words: ‘The Federal Ministry health told us that the number of people on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) rose from 10,000 in 2000 to 60,000 in 2006. They also claim that the number of ARV distribution sites increased from 25 to 70 during the same period.”
“Yet, Nigeria has been de-listed from the list of countries that could benefit from the global funding on AIDS related programmes because of poor accountability and poor performance on the part of the NGOs that got money from foreign donors.”
He called for an urgent response from the House of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria towards effective monitoring, documentation and evaluation of HIV activities in the dioceses.
Earlier, the report listed the achievement of the Anglican Church in her response to the Aids pandemic, two years after the launch of her strategic policy and plan document.
According to the report, the Voluntary Counseling and Confidential Testing Centre (VCCT) established in 2002 and located in Abuja is still up and running while training has been provided for diocesan HIV/Aids coordinators in over 70 dioceses.
Also partner organizations including Action Aid International, Society for Family Health and Christian Aid UK, ENHANSE, GHAIN had at various degrees provided support for the Church activities on HIV/AIDS.

INEC Boss Appeals for Prayers, Invites Clergymen to volunteer as ad-hoc staff

INEC Boss Appeals for Prayers, Invites Clergymen to volunteer as ad-hoc staff.

CONN/0590906

Port Harcourt, Sept. 13, 2006- The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu today delivered his most passionate appeal for the success of the 2007 elections appealing to Church leaders to fervently pray for the forthcoming polls.
He also asked the Church to encourage Priests to volunteer as ad-hoc staff, saying ‘there is nothing wrong in Anglican clergymen working as electoral staff’.

Prof. Iwu was speaking to delegates of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) attending the ongoing Standing Committee of the Church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital

Making reference to the Gospel of Luke 4:18, he tasked the Church leaders to make 2007 an acceptable year of the Lord.

The INEC boss, who quoted copiously from the Bible during his presentation, said “Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captive and recovery of sight to the blind.”

“It is only you (the Bishops) not me, that can make 2007 the acceptable year of the Lord. As Christians you can lead us to join our Moslem brothers- who are also Children of the Book-, to make 2007 an acceptable year of the Lord.”

He asked Church leaders to stop ascribing blame of manipulation of election on politicians and called on Christians to train men of integrity to take over the leadership of the country.

“No politicians carries ballot boxes, no politicians carries acid, no politician carries machete. It is the ordinary Nigerian, people who come to Church everyday to worship God; they are the ones they use,” he said.”

He described as totally unacceptable a situation in the country where people of low intellect and sheer brutality have been allowed to control the reins of political power.

Iwu said religious leaders have been appointed by God to lead and liberate the people from the reins of ignorance and bondage.

He appealed to the Church leaders to encourage their followers not to allow themselves to be used as agents to derail the electoral process.

On what INEC was doing towards the 2007 polls, Iwu said some 500,000 people and more are needed to conduct the polls.

He said the electoral body resolved not to take any list from politicians during recruitment of ad-hoc staff and listed religious bodies, academia, business community, as reliable alternatives.