Implement 2014 Confab report – Bishop Nwokolo tells FG

ANGLICAN Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to either implement the reports of the 2014 National Conference or alternatively convoke a fresh one to douse the tensions arising from various ethnic agitations in the country which in turn, culminated in national uprising and killing of thousands of Nigerians.

 He contended that the implementation of the confab reports or convocation of a fresh one would definitely save the country from total disintegration and further loss of lives and property.

Bishop Nwokolo, who spoke at the third session of the 31st Synod of the Diocese on the Niger, held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Eziowelle, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, further contended that implementing the confab reports or convoking a fresh one would equally offer all the agitating entities free grounds to voice their grievances and if such legitimate agitations are addressed, the on-going bloodletting sprees would eventually come to an end.

According to Bishop Nwokolo, “over the decades, shrill voices across the length and breadth of the country have agitated various injustices they claimed to have experienced in the country. While some ethnic groups, for instance, claimed either economic marginalisation, others protested lopsided appointments, political or infrastructural marginalisation, all of which invariably necessitated the 2014 confab”.

 “Unfortunately, the conference, which report specifically emphasised restructure, resource control and infrastructure is tugged away in the government cupboard. Today, less than seven years after the conference, the nation is in abysmal chaotic state. Insecurity occasioned by various causes now rock the very foundation of this our dear nation”.

“As there is confusion now in the North, so there are in both the West and the East. Regrettably, each area of trouble seems to be representing a particular cause of agitation. The North, through the Boko Haram sect, the Fulani Herdsmen, the Jihadists seem to have a common cause as the West and the East, through their individual ethnic militia seem to be pursuing their own separate causes”, said Nwokolo.

In their separate speeches, Christian Association of Nigeria, Anambra Chapter Chairman, Venerable Joseph Nweke, Venerable Nkwoemezie, the Clerical Synod Secretary; Nonso Anene, a member of the Synod Planning Committee, President of Men’s Christian Fellowship, Diocese on the Niger, Sir. Emeka Anyaenetu and Rev. Onyebuchi Ginika Eriobunah, Parish Priest of St. John’s Parish, Eziowelle, Postulant Ifunanya Maduka, who x-rayed the theme of the synod: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only”, expressed satisfaction that the bishop’s charge at the synod was compatible with the topical issues plaguing the nation and charged Christians to remain obedient to God even in the face of persecutions.

According to Sir Anyaenetu,”our dream and energetic bishop has set goals bumpy with ideas as enumerated in the bishop’s address. The presidency is not treating the citizens the way they should. Graduates are riding Keke NAPEP and they are not safe driving it. The agitations are as a result of hurt which requires love and forgiveness to forgo the wrongs”.

“As youths agitate, they should never consider war as an option because if they ask people who survived the civil war, they would discover that no matter the marginalisation, war is very disastrous.