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… Commends Gov Fubara, Council Boss, Deko
The 12th Annual Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Gokana has commended those in authority at the three levels of government in Nigeria, while calling for a “sustainable and lasting solution” to end the hunger and suffering in the land.
The synod, which held at the Methodist Church Nigeria Mogho from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th April, 2024, with the theme, ‘Arise And Build,’ noted the political crisis engulfing Rivers State, as well as the banditry perpetuated by alleged Fulani herdsmen in Eleme, while commending the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for toeing the path of peace and ensuring civil servants’ welfare.
In a communiqué signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Bel-aanen and Synod secretary, Very Rev. Baridam N. C. Jason, the synod commended federal, state and local governments in Nigeria, “and in particular Rivers State, headed by His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the peaceful co-existence existing amongst the various ethnic and religious groups in the state and the general atmosphere of peace in the state.”
According to the release by Rt. Rev. Dr. Bel-aanen and Very Rev. Jason, “Synod notes with pain the unbearable and excruciating suffering of people across our dear nation Nigeria, mainly caused by the sudden and unplanned removal of fuel subsidy coupled with the steady decline in the value of the naira against the dollar which has triggered unprecedented rise in the cost of living generally.
“Synod believes that the Federal Government of Nigeria should rather focus on long term sustainable measures in addressing the numerous challenges facing the country instead of its short term plans of using palliatives to stop hunger and suffering in the land,” they said.
The synod further decried “the callous invasion and continuous destruction of lives and properties by Boko Haram, armed bandits and Fulani herdsmen in different parts of the country.
“Synod particularly condemns in strong terms the recent invasion of Agbeta Community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State by Fulani herdsmen who not only abduct children and rape women, also destroyed farm produce worth millions of naira with their cattle thereby causing hunger and hardship in the area.
“Synod therefore calls on the federal, state, and local governments to come to the aid of the victims and also find a lasting solution to the menace in the area.”
They however acknowledged and commended “the executive chairman of Gokana Local Government Sir Hon. Confidence Yima Deko for the numerous projects being undertaken by his government to positively touch the lives of Gokana people.”
The Methodist Church synod further expressed “reservations” over the unfolding political crisis in Rivers State, “particularly the recent moves to destabilize the present administration of His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
“Synod joins other well-meaning Rivers people to condemn the move and equally call on all parties to the conflict to tow the path of peace and reconciliation in the overall interest of progress and development in Rivers State.
“Synod equally uses this medium to commend the Rivers State Government for the priority accorded the welfare of civil servants in the state and urge the government to extend the same gesture to other sectors such as education, health, agriculture etc,” they said.
Also, according to Rt. Rev. Dr. Bel-aanen and Very Rev. Jason, the Methodist Church synod at Gokana is not happy with the institution of same sex marriage and transgender practices by some religious organizations in some parts of the world, and thus condemned it “in strong terms.”
They said the synod however “notes with admiration the courage of the Nigerian Catholic Bishops Conference in speaking out boldly against same sex marriages in the Catholic church. Synod equally calls on other religious and non-governmental organizations to brace up and be united in the fight against the twin sexual pervasions of same sex marriage and transgender practices in Nigeria.”
