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Seek foreign aid to stem killings, kidnappings, Primate tells FG

Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has urged the federal government to seek international support to stem the rising wave of killings, kidnappings and violence across the country.

He said the insecurity crisis in the country must be taken seriously.

He spoke during the consecration of fifteen bishops-elect in Abuja yesterday.

Ndukuba while speaking on the recent move by U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy military personnel to end violence attack of Christiana in Nigeria, said, “The persecution of Christians and the violence going on in this land are not what anybody can deny.”

He expressed worry that clergy men continued to be abducted, noting that several pastors and their families remained in captivity without any resolution.

“As I’m talking to you now, we have some of our pastors who are kidnapped with their families taken from their church and they have not been released and it is not something we will deny and if our authority, the government, cannot handle it, it is good for them to seek help but at the due time, we will say what we should say,” he stated.

Ndukuba lamented the rising moral decline among young people, stressing that the character of the nation’s youth would shape the future of the country.

He urged parents to model discipline and godliness, while affirming that today’s youth possessed the intelligence and creativity needed to overcome their generational challenges.

Ndukuba said: “So as a church, we continue to pray for them, we will continue to invest in them and nurture them, and that is why we have the mission to the youth, which we call the Joshua generation.’’

The Anglican Primate expressed confidence that Nigerian youths, if properly guided, would remain resilient, despite the pressures they faced.

“We are believing that these ones will rise, in spite of the challenges around them and take on their generation and bring down the glory of God and stand by faith and conquer their promised land,” he said.

Speaking on the newly consecrated bishops, the Primate urged them to embrace patience, sacrifice and faithfulness in their calling, noting that leadership within the church demanded courage and dedication.

“This is the call of God upon the lives of these servants and when Jesus calls us to follow him, he calls us to die to self and also take up our cross, be ready to suffer, be ready to do his will,” he said.

The newly consecrated bishops-elect are: Ven. Samuel O. Ogunmiluyi (Irele Ese-Odo), Ven. Francis O. Bankole (Ekiti South), Ven. Boma P. Briggs (Kalabari), Ven. Ebenezer A. Adewole (Lagos South West), and Ven. Benjamin E. Idume (Ozoro).

Others include Ven. Olubode A. Otenaike (Idanre), Ven. David Michson (Ikom), Ven. Gershinen P. Dajur (Keffi-Karshi), Ven. Luka B. Allu (Nasarawa), Ven. Ifeanyi V. Akunna (Ogoja), Ven. Ebenezer Familoni (Oyo South), Ven. Solomon Adewumi (Oyun), Rev. Canon Rika G. Ibrahim (Takum), and Ven. Ayuba Kanta (Zuru).