By Chidinma Ewunonu- Aluko
Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, has appealed to governments at all levels to do everything possible to curb corruption in the country.
Akinfenwa made the appeal at the second session of the 24th Synod of the diocese, held at Anglican Church of the Ascension, Akobo, Ibadan, on Friday.
He said that no amount of economic stimulus scheme would work and that no development agenda would fly if the funds being injected continued to end up being stolen.
According to him, everything needed to improve the country’s economy can only become effective in an atmosphere of transparency and accountability.
“We need to speed up the provision of critical infrastructure, such as electricity, good roads, telecommunications and security that support a productive economy.
“We are happy that the government recently approved the implementation of the Oronsaye report.
"We hope its implementation will truly lead to a reduction in the cost of governance.
“We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to redouble efforts to quickly alleviate the pains of the masses; the policies of fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira have added to people’s pains.
“We appeal that these policies and other reforms that may come later be given a human face.
“Palliative action should be front-loaded and made effective, not brought in later as tokenism or afterthought,” he said.
Akinfenwa called for reduction in the number of vehicles in the convoys of political leaders, adding that the culture of rapid boarding of official vehicles should also be stopped.
“Travelling abroad for medical checkups or treatments should be stopped; let us all manage what we have at home,” he said.
The cleric also called for return to a truly federal structure by Nigeria where the centre would cease to hold back any of the federating units from true development, according to their priorities.
“It is in the best interest of our nation to move away from the unitary system and truly become a federal republic,” he said.
Akinfenwa urged Oyo State government to get to the bottom of the explosion which occurred in Ibadan in January and mete out appropriate punishment to those who were behind the tragedy.
He prayed for more peace in the state, especially after the demise of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, and for God’s wisdom for all who were in charge of the transition process.
Akinfenwa further thanked the people of Ibadan diocese, the chancellor, deputy chancellor, synod delegates, dignitaries, clergy, wives and others for their love and immense support toward the development of the diocese.
"After this synod, we as your Diocesan under God and your encouragement shall have only two more sessions of synod to Preside over, we thank God for all He has enabled us to accomplish.
"Since we are approaching the end of this episcopacy, we call on all to Join hands to run the last leg of this race with a great burst of energy," Akinfenwa said. (NAN)
