Subsidy removal: Idoani Anglican Diocese asks President Tinubu to wipe away Nigerians’ tears

The Diocese of Idoani Anglican Communion in Ondo State, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to initiate policies and programmes that will wipe away Nigerians’ tears amid the current hardship inflicted on them by the sudden removal of petrol subsidy.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the first session of the diocese’s fifth synod held at Saint Matthew’s Anglican Church Imeri, in Ose local government area between 13 and 16 of July, 2023.

In the communique signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Revd Adegoke Oludare Agara, the diocese decried what it called “sudden removal of fuel subsidy with no immediate palliatives” to cushion the effects on Nigerians.

The diocese particularly wondered why the current President, who vehemently campaigned against attempts by previous administrations to remove petrol subsidy, decided to phase out the subsidy regime which has plunged the entire nation into agony and pain.

The diocese therefore urged President Tinubu to brace up for the challenge of putting smiles on the face of Nigerians and tackling the myriad of challenges confronting the country.

The Diocesan Bishop, Right Revd Agara had in his charge said “Nigerians are tired of groaning worst still in the midst of the abundance of oil which God divinely bestowed upon our land but because of corruption and lack of the goodwill of the power of our leaders to address issues and confront the saboteurs, the masses are now suffering and grieving.”

The Bishop also condemned the murder of a Naval rating at Idoani and called on parents to be alive to their responsibility of bringing up their children in Godly ways.

On the just concluded general election, the diocese commended the former President Buhari’s administration for providing a level playing field for the conduct of the polls.

The diocese which appreciated God for sustaining the ailing Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and prayed for his quick recovery, also lauded the Governor for clearing the backlog of salaries owed civil servants. It also acknowledged his administration’s commitment to security through the sustenance of the Amotekun Corps which the diocese said has scaled down criminalities in the state.

It however frowned at the nonchalant attitude of some political office holders to the bad state of infrastructure in their communities which it said is making the dividends of democracy a mirage. It lamented the poor conditions of Oba-Afo-Idoani road, Idoani-Ipele road and the Idoani-Idogun-Imeri road and called on the federal government to dualise the Ipele-Idoani-Isua road which has for some years now become a death trap.

The theme of the Synod, “Turning Reproach to Glory”, noted the significance of Nehemiah’s name (God had consoled) in the building of Jerusalem. “He was not a priest hence only a heart of commitment and faithfulness is required by anyone to make an impact praying that God would also raise up men like Nehemiah to build our communities and Country.

Citing Proverb 14:34, the Synod identified sin as the major cause of reproach Prov. 14:34 in any man’s life and noted that Nehemiah was able to build the walls which other people living in Jerusalem neglected because God gave him burden and we must clarify our purpose in life through the burden we carry.

“For every Godly assignment, there are bound to be opposition coming after the order of Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem in the forms of ridicule, wrath, discouragement, fear, strife and host of others, but with God, focus and determination we are bound to overcome like Nehemiah”, the communique read in part.

It therefore challenged Nigerians to make themselves “available vessels in turning the reproach in our Nation, Church, Communities to Glory as God is always in search of Men whom He can use in intervening in human affairs as He did through Noah, Joseph and particularly our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who gave His life as ransom for the sin of the World”.

The diocese also enjoined Nigerians to eschew anything contrary to God’s will and to imbibe the “spirit of Nehemiah to bring solutions by identifying the needs in our little corners and rising up to meet them”.

At the opening service of the Synod on Thursday the 13th of July, The Bishop, Diocese of Offa Anglican Communion, Right Revd Solomon Akanbi urged christians to maintain their faith in God and believe that He would turn their shame to glory.

The guest Bishop asked Christians to have faith in God and use Jesus as a key to turn to Him in prayers for their needs. He also enjoined Christians, especially members of the Anglican Communion to approach every circumstance with good faith because nothing occurs without God’s understanding.

The Synod was rounded off on Sunday the 16th of July with a thanksgiving service attended by traditional rulers within and outside the diocese and the guest preacher, Venerable Ayo Arire, tasked members of the diocese to emulate the biblical Nehemiah who championed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after destruction.

Ven. Arire who doubles as the Vicar of Bola Memorial Church, Ikeja of the Diocese of Lagos West, described the walls of Jerusalem as the pride of the people of Jerusalem and beauty to behold, and like the biblical Nehemiah, Ven. Arire challenged members of the diocese to be more resolute and determined to move the Diocese of Idoani forward and structure for it, a pride of place in the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.

The events were attended by the Bishop of Owo Diocese, Rt Revd Ayodeji Fagbemi, Dr Bode Olajumoke, the Baba Ijo of the host church and Rear Admiral Dele Daji (retd) as well as other illustrious sons and daughters of the diocese.