Declare A State Of Emergency on Some Basic Infrastructures,Methodist Church Advised the Federal Government of Nigeria

Methodist Church Nigeria had advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to declare a state of emergency on some basic infrastructures,this was made known at the end of the 38th Council of Lay Presidents held at Methodist Cathedral Agbeni-Ibadan.

At the end of the meeting the Church came up with a communique below;

Preamble 

The 38th Council of Lay Presidents, Methodist Church Nigeria, hosted by the Archdiocese of Ibadan, was held at the Methodist Cathedral, Agbeni- Ibadan, Oyo State from Thursday, 27th to Sunday 30th July, 2023 with the theme “Contending for the Faith” (Jude 1:3). The Council was well attended and presided over by the Conference Lay President, Sir (Ide) Ifeanyi Okechukwu, KJW as Chairman.  The Council deliberated on lots of issues bordering on the theme of Conference, Church and the nation. At the end of session, the following resolutions were taken.

1.      Theme of Conference: Contending for the faith (Jude 1:3). The Council noted that the church and indeed Christians are seriously under threat from false teachings/doctrines, thereby making many Christians to deviate from the faith which is in Christ Jesus. That the church should rise up and contend for that original faith that was once handed over to us.

2.      On the state of the Church, the Council:

i.                  congratulated His Eminence, Dr Oliver Ali Aba on his emergence as the new Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria and pledges her unalloyed support to his leadership.

ii.                encourages church leadership at all levels to key into the agenda of the Prelate titled “A NEW DAWN” which emphasizes on creating an enduring investment culture; declaring war against indiscipline and vigorous evangelism, in addition to the immediate past Administration’s 4 –points agenda.

iii.              encourages the Church leaders to imbibe the spirit of resilience, commitment and consistency; and be role models both in the church and larger society.

iv.               requests the church leadership to make the church attractive to the young generation to avoid exodus of the youths from the church

v.                requests for a harmonious relationship between the leaders (clergy and laity leaders) in the church for effective church management

3.      On the state of the nation, the Council:

i.                  noted with thanksgiving the successful conclusion of the National Elections and the smooth/peaceful transition to a new administration at both the state and federal levels; and therefore, calls on all political office holders to remain truthful to their oath of office by prioritizing the welfare of her citizens.

ii.                frowned at the level of corruption in the country and pleads with the new administration to tackle this monster head-on.

iii.              while applauding the current Federal Government of the decision to stop the rot in the petroleum sectors by complete removal of the fuel subsidy; the Government should as a matter of urgency put modalities in place to cushion the adverse effect of this subsidy removal on the citizens

iv.               requests the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on some basic infrastructures (roads and electricity) and security to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.