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Anglican Church Warns Incoming Administration Against Lopsided Appointments
The Anglican Diocese of Okrika in Rivers State, has warned the incoming administration, both at the federal and state levels, to avoid making lopsided appointments into political offices.
The diocesan Bishop, Rt. Reverend Enoch Atuboyedia, gave the warning in his presidential address during the second session of the Seventh Synod of the Diocese, which held at Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Okrika.
Atuboyedia, who described as worrisome, the present state of insecurity and attacks on christian churches, communities and indeed the citizens of the country, called on government to put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens.
The Anglican Bishop also called on government to improve on health-care delivery system, so that the current medical tourism among top government functionaries and privileged few can completely be eradicated or be reduced.
He said: “The Church demands that government should put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens.
“The present state of insecurity and attacks on christian churches, communities and indeed the citizens of this country is worrisome. The security of lives and property of citizens will foster economic growth of the country.
“The government should also ensure that education of our children at all levels is given top priority, as this is the best legacy our country can bequeath to her youths.
‘The government should improve on health-care delivery system, so that the current medical tourism among top government functionaries and privileged few can completely be eradicated or be reduced. Nigeria has the capacity to provide good health-care delivery system and be a destination for health tourism at least in Africa.
“We have great apprehension over the rising inflation, debt servicing burden, fuel subsidy and fear for the future of Nigeria. Alleviating the suffering of the masses should be the priority of the government at all levels.
“The Church demands adequate provisions for education, economic empowerment and jobs for the teeming youths and citizens. The provision of grants and loans for indigent people as a social safe-net for the citizens will offer every citizen the opportunity to contribute to the development of the country they call their own.
“The Church frowns at the negligent attitude of the leaders and the lack of political will to enforce the rule of law. We therefore advice the Government to maintain the rule of law and to uphold civil rights, justice and equity.
“The Judiciary should be made to serve the citizens in matters of justice and equity. Decentralizing the Police Force and the creation of State Police will help to improve on security and maintenance of law and order.
“The Church demands that our leaders should make comprehensive assessments of the policies and procedures of governance to be able to make governance in Nigeria an all-inclusive matter.
“The government should ensure that the appointments into Political Offices are not lopsided and should not be done based on sentiment or sectional interest. The enforcement of the Federal Character and other Regulatory Policies will help to restore balance and fairness in the country.
The Church would hold the government to account for any form of infrastructural neglects, and therefore, demands full execution and completion of road constructions, schools, medical centers and others basic infrastructure to make up for the long infrastructural deficiencies we have suffered in the country.”
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)