Prof. Godwin Okpala, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra, has urged Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan's Transformation Agenda meant to stimulate economic growth and check corruption in all ramifications.
Okpala said this on Tuesday in Oraifite, near Onitsha, after reading his Bishop Charge at the second session of the 6th Synod of the Diocese.
The synod, which is holding at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Oraifite, was themed: “Restoring the Years the Locusts have Eaten’’.
The bishop urged Nigerians to support the President’s agenda on power, food security (agriculture), education, health, women and youths’ empowerment/employment as well as judicious application of government funds and personnel.
Okpala said the agenda would reduce the chances of easy stealing, embezzlement and looting of government treasury and ensure the creation of jobs to stem prostitution, criminality, restiveness and hopelessness among youths.
“You know what locust is; locust is a devastating insect; whenever it comes to a town or village, it eats up all the green leaves; and that means there would be no food that year because it would plunder everything that would yield any food.
“So, restoring what the locust had eaten means that this locust had eaten up everything; and people are in a state of hopelessness; they need restoration, so that they would come back to life.
?“If you view our country, Nigeria, you’ll see that corruption and other things, vices had eaten up the fabrics of this nation and had kept us almost at dying level because, because of the uncertainties of the time.
?“So we need restoration; so in this theme, God is telling us that there is hope for Nigeria.
?“If, and only if, Nigerians will repent and follow after righteousness.
?“That is the condition He had given.
?“So by this theme, we want to impress on Nigerians to think towards God, to listen to God, listen to what God is speaking to us through this synod and have some amendment in their lives.’’
Highlights of the occasion were the observation of three-minute silence and singing of a hymn for the victims of Dana Air plane crash. ?
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