…Advocates For National Reconciliation Commission
By Maureen Dick and Eric Moore
THE Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, has called for a new Nigeria where the citizens are not oppressed.
Archbishop Ndukuba also advocated for the establishment of a National Reconciliation Commission that would 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.
He spoke at the 2025 Standing Committee Meeting of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion at the St. Cyprain’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, Diocese of Niger Delta, Province of Niger Delta on Wednesday.
The 2025 Standing Committee Meeting of the church was declared open by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The Primate also spoke on the urgent need for a newly drafted National Constitution for Nigeria, which is created by the citizens, and not merely the amendments to a military-imposed Constitution that has not truly provided the much-expected direction to Nigerians.
Archbishop Ndukuba emphasised 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.
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, fear, and insisted that every life is important.
Archbishop Ndukuba also said that Nigerians are suffering due to growing inflation, soaring prices of basic food items that Nigerians need in a fragile and uncertain economic environment, requiring immediate remedy.
The Anglican Church Primate urged the government to do things differently to address the mirage of problems facing ordinary Nigerians.
The theme of this year’s meeting was, “The Bond of Peace: The Core of the Life and Ministry of the Church,” [EPHESIANS 4:3].
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while declaring the meeting open, 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, Governor Fubara challenged the church, as a critical partner of government, to support all efforts at peace-building by preaching peace to congregants, so that development efforts can genuinely yield dividends in Rivers State and Nigeria, as a whole.