The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has advocated for the establishment of a National Reconciliation Commission that will facilitate socio-political healing arising from hurts perpetrated by Nigeria’s first coup, civil war and other squabbles that continue to create deep-rooted suspicion in the polity.
Archbishop Ndukuba stated this on Wednesday, in his presidential address at the 2025 Standing Committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, holding in Port Harcourt
Archbishop Ndukuba emphasized that things must be done in the church with due reverence to God, genuine love for one another, fervent teaching of the impactful and true word of God, and not the traditions of ancestors.
The primate also spoke on the urgent need for a new constitution for Nigeria, as against the amendments of a military-imposed constitution that has not truly provided the much-expected direction to Nigerians.
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He said: “The issues of justice, equity and equality of citizens in a free and democratic society remains an issue that must be openly and frankly discussed, legislated and implemented for the survival of this nation, Nigeria.
“We need the birth of a new Nigeria where no citizen is oppressed, rather, everyone has right to strive for good life.”
The primate challenged the federal government to address the intractable insecurity in parts of the country, that has systemically led to free operations of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements perpetrating killings, causing devastation, and fear.
Archbishop Ndukuba also said that Nigerians are suffering due to growing inflation, soaring prices of basic food items, and urged the government to do things differently to address the mirage of problems facing ordinary Nigerians.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said that the growing hunger across Nigeria, has persisted because of the activities of herdsmen and terrorists who continue to attack farmers and make it difficult for them to engage in productive farm work.
To curb this menace, Gov. Fubara challenged the church, as a critical partner of government, to support all efforts at peace-building by preaching peace, so that development efforts can genuinely yield dividends in Rivers State and Nigeria, as a whole.
The governor said government alone cannot singlehandedly tackle the plethora of socio-political and economic challenges in the country, without support from critical stakeholders, like the church, and urged them not to shy away from their roles.
In his welcome address, the Bishop Niger Delta Diocese, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, expressed appreciation to Gov. Fubara, for for his administration’s massive suppor to the church, and the numerous people-centred policies and programmes designed to improve the welfare of Rivers people.
