Nigeria is not working, Anglican Bishop raises alarm; archbishop says reverse hike in tariff to rule the living

From Chuks Moses, Awka

Lamentations over the precarious economic situation in the country continues to rise with the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt Rev’d Ndubuisi Obi, declaring that Nigeria as presently constituted is not working.

On his part, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Province of the Niger, His Grace Maxwell Anikwenwa insisted the issue of “hike in electricity tariff must be reversed, if the government wants to govern the living and not the dead”.

Obi pointed this in his maiden presidential charge during the 2020 Synod of the Nnewi Diocese of the Anglican Communion Friday, that “the common people are suffering, there is abject poverty in the land despite our touted oil revenue. This is most unacceptable.

“Nigeria is only working for those who are benefitting from it. It is working for the elites.” Bishop Obi stated.

While speaking on the way out of the woods for the nation, the bishop then called for restructuring as the way to go; noting that it would stem the tide of persistent wanton killing of Christians in parts of Nigeria and also stop other atrocities that have befallen the nation.

He said, “The hydra-headed federal government must be dismantled and power should be ceded to the regions. While we have a loose, coordinating government at the federal level. If we are a federal republic, then the regions must become federating regions and allowed to run their affairs, manage their resources and develop at their place. This is the simplest unambiguous way to put Nigeria on the path of recovery.” He said.

Coming near to tears, Obi passionately appealed to President Muhamadu Buhari to make every effort to secure the release of Leah Sharibu and all other abducted citizens who are still with terrorists.

On Coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Obi said Nigerians should do everything possible to protect themselves, maintain good hygiene at all times, avoid crowded places, reduce traveling and pray always.

And the politicians were there to applaud the spiritual leaders and promote themselves as governorship elections draw near in the state. One of the governorship aspirants, TobeOlisa Olih while commending the diocese for the giant step taken in the last one year expressed joy that the Diocese shares his views on how to refocus, transform and rebuild the state.

He thanked the bishop for proceeding to implement key part of his manifesto of mass employment, Agric revolution, vocational training and infrastructural development of the state as a subtle way to tame the monstrous criminal activities among the youth.

He noted that the state should now focus on the background of the next governor and should not be swayed by mere promises that that end up abandoned.

Also, a Labor Party (LP) governorship hopeful, Group Captain Nnamdi Nnoruka (Rtd) commended Bishop Obi for his outstanding achievements and sure-footed development roadmap since mounting the saddle.

He anchored his aspiration on provision of jobs, industrialization, moral rebirth of the youth, as well as vocational training with the aim of turning the state into a human resource centre for the world. He said that he would address the multifaceted challenges confronting Anambra State if he makes it to government house Awka.

The Archbishop Emeritus of the Province of the Niger, His Grace Maxwell Anikwenwa, in response to reporters’ questions sees Obiano’s car gift to traditional rulers as a way to beef up security within the communities and commend them for support.