Ordination and Collation Service

The Synod Opening Service was held at the 89-year old Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on Sunday, 4th May, 2008. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Canon Prof. Dapo Folorunsho Asaju, the Acting Dean of Faculty of Arts and Chaplain, Chapel of Light, Lagos State University, Ojo.

Also present were The Rt. Rev. Caleb Maduoma, Bishop of Ideato Diocese, The Rt. Rev. B.J. Adeyemi, Bishop of Badagry Missionary Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Solomon Gbetogo Kuponu, Bishop of Ijebu North Diocese, The Rt. Rev Prof. A.D. Akinde, Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Ranti Odugbogun, Bishop of Ife Diocese, The Rt. Rev. J. Akin Odejide, Bishop of Ifo Missionary Diocese, The Rt. Rev. O.O. Oduntan, Bishop of Ajayi Crowther Missionary Diocese and The Ven J. Akin Atere, Bishop-Elect of the soon-to-be inaugurated Missionary Diocese of Awori. The House of Clergy with some retired clergy men and the House of Laity were fully represented at the ceremonies

Goodwill messages were received from sister dioceses of Lagos West, Yewa, Igbo Ora, Akure, Etsako and Omu Aran, as well as the Provincial Youth Chaplain, The Revd. Kunle Dina, and some individuals.

NOTES AND RESOLUTIONS OF SYNOD

1. Synod notes with delight the courage of the judiciary on the on-going adjudicatory work over disputes arising from the last set of national elections and calls on the Tribunals and Appeal Courts to expedite action in order to enhance the culture of democracy in our nation.

2. Synod calls on the President, His Excellency, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua to ensure that the Electoral Reform Committee maintains and effects fairness in its work to restore the integrity of the electoral process in the country.

3. Synod encourages those who are aggrieved and desiring justice for any unfairness which was experienced at the last election to exercise restraint as the judiciary has proved through its decisions that it is capable and ready to redress all election errors.

4. Synod notes that corruption is Nigeria’s greatest growth-challenge and commends the government’s recourse to the rule of law and its stance against the cankerworm.

5. Synod views with joy the seven point programme of His Excellency, Mr. President upon his assumption of office.  Synod hopes that all issues covered by the agenda would be faithfully implemented and to the advantage of Nigerians.

6. Synod appreciates the determination of the President to address the problems of Power supply in the country and urges him to expedite action in declaring a state of emergency on the sector. While not pre-empting Mr. President, Synod believes that a way out of the problems in power generation and distribution could be the creation of an enabling environment for private sector participation as was successfully done in the telecommunications sector and urges government to consider this.

7. Synod notes with appreciation the commencement of production in some of our hitherto moribund refineries and urges government to set a date for banning imported petroleum products into the country.

8. Synod notes the commencement of repair work on some Federal roads in the country and implores the government to move expeditiously in the repair work and to address the deplorable state of national infrastructure.

9. While commending the National Assembly’s attempts to correct the ills of the past through the on-going probes, it urges the Assembly to ensure that those found to have abused the public trust are made to face the consequences so that present and up-coming leaders will respect the rule of law.

10. Synod note with concern the stalling of the Freedom of Information bill by the House of Representatives and urges the legislators to expedite action on the Bill which would further enhance the nation’s quest for good governance and fiscal responsibility.

11. Synod reiterates its concern over the upsurge in general criminality, kidnapping and armed robbery in particular. It calls on government to strengthen, motivate and properly equip the Nigeria Police and other security agencies involved in the law enforcement process.

12. Synod notes that the rate of unemployment has remained high and alarming.  It implores Government to address the issue with utmost urgency and the importance it deserves.  It commends the Lagos State Government’s effort in rehabilitating the ‘area boys’ in Lagos by empowering them through its “Skills Acquisition Programme.”

13. Synod commends the Central Bank Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for the immense development of the banking sector, especially the licensing of microfinance banks. Synod wishes to encourage the CBN to pursue, aggressively, policies that liberalize lending especially to small and medium scale enterprises.

14. Synod notes with grief the situation in the Niger Delta area, and the threat posed by this to the nation’s economy and security. Synod believes that this situation is avoidable and therefore calls on all stakeholders and governments at all levels to vigorously address the problems by implementing the Niger Delta Master Plan and dialoguing meaningfully with the aggrieved.

15. Synod views with concern the problem of food crisis in our nation and notes that Nigeria has extensive arable land, and the capacity to grow highland, low-land and swamp rice. Synod therefore requests Government to find immediate, mid-term and long-term solutions to the food crisis.

16. Synod views the state of our public universities and other educational institutions with concern. While appealing to Government to ensure adequate funding and policies to enhance education at all levels. Synod urges all stakeholders to ensure the proper management of what is available and create a conducive atmosphere for proper teaching, research and learning.

17. Synod notes with joy the decision of the Lagos State Government to complete the return of schools previously taken over by the State Government to its previous owners especially the missionaries and calls on other States to do same.

18. Synod expresses worry over the poor state of healthcare delivery and the high incidences of malaria and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It calls on Government, all Church leaders and everyone to take seriously their role in ensuring a healthier populace.

19. Synod notes the attendance and inspiring address delivered by His Excellency, Barrister Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Governor of Lagos State, at the 2nd Session of the 30th Synod of the Diocese, and wishes to congratulate him on his effort in restoring the beauty of Lagos, and improving transportation in the State through massive roads rehabilitation and the BRT scheme.

20. Synod appreciates the inspiring leadership style of the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, The Most Rev. Dr. Peter J. Akinola, CON particularly for the unprecedented spiritual, economic and numerical growth of the Church during his archepiscopacy. Synod also appreciates his leadership of the South-South encounter and endorses his stand that the Church should rather go to Jerusalem to fashion out a future for the Church than going to Lambeth.  Synod thanks God for his being a gift to the Church these many years and wishes him very restful and blessed retirement.

21. Synod enjoins all Christians to uphold the faith once delivered to the saints and live such lives that the church will continue to be light to the world and salt to the earth, an inspiration to future generations and a source of glory to God, in line with our theme for the Synod.

 

Most Rev Dr. E. Adebola Ademowo, OON, FNAL            Ven. S. Igein Isemede
Bishop of Lagos and Archbishop, Province of Lagos               Synod Secretary