The Anglican Bishop of Niger West Diocese, Province of the Niger, Rt Revd Johnson Ekwe, has urged the federal government to engage all agitators across the nation in dialogue with a view to addressing their contentious issues.
He also called for a revisit and implementation of the 2014 National Conference recommendations as a veritable instrument to calm down tension in the nation.
Bishop Ekwe, who spoke shortly after 2nd Session of the Fourth Synod of the Diocese held in Nando community, called on government to adopt the strategy of dialogue in resolving issues affecting some ethnic nationalities.
He suggested that use of force must be applied with caution and stressed the need for government to hearken to voices calling for dialogue as a more civilised approach to finding solutions to challenges.
“I don’t know how comfortable government is over social unrest in the country; I don’t know how comfortable our politicians are over this matter. The Church is sad about it, Synod actually condemns it and we are asking government to do the needful for peace to reign.
“We also condemn killing of innocent people and wanton killing of Policemen by unknown people. This must not be allowed to continue because life is sacred. These are people’s husbands, brothers and relatives”, he said.
The Bishop then urged government to resort to democratic ideals and due process which he described as critical to the survival of the nation in tackling various challenges confronting existence of the nation.
He described the theme of the Synod: “You are complete in Christ; the Head of Principalities and Powers” as wonderful and apt and noted that the nation must allow God to live in it for healing, salvation and restoration to take place.
“We should know Him, be with Him, savour Him and see Him. The goal is for everyone to be complete in Christ”, he added.
Nneka Ukachukwu
