Anglican Abuja diocese celebrates 35th anniversary

• as Primate renew call for agro-industrialisation

The Abuja Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion on Saturday, celebrated its 35th anniversary, as the Archbishop Metropolitan, and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr Henry Ndukuba renew call for the government to revitalise agro-industries to address some social and economic challenges the country is passing through.

Speaking at a special programme organized to mark the anniversary, Primate Ndukuba said the theme for the celebration is ‘Renewed to Soar Higher’.

While thanking God for helping Nigeria and the church survive these years despite challenges, Primate Ndukuba said these years have been years of great work for God’s kingdom and among God’s people.

He however said that with right leadership, with good vision and direction, Nigerians have proven both in the rural and urban areas that God can do great things even with little resources.

“What we are celebrating for this 35 years is the faithfulness and help of God and we know that as the Lord has helped us in the Church, God has also helped us in our nation.

He said with the revitalization of agro-industries, Nigeria can be the food hub for Africa, while providing jobs for the youth and citizens

“If there will be a revitalization of our agro-industries, use cotton in Funtua to feed the textile industries in Kaduna, use maize and cereal being produced in the far north to process food and feed Nigeria and the African continent.

“What will turn around our fortune is industrialization, creating jobs for the teeming and our citizens. When they work with their hands, they will contribute their taxes and levies, there will be more income for the government to carry out development, and they will be able to feed their families.

“Even if we concentrate on growing tomatoes and processing some of these agro-products, I think that we will not only have enough to eat, but families will live with dignity”, he said.

While charging Nigerians to lose hope, the clergyman expressed hope that God will renew the strength, hope and determination of Nigerians to break barriers and go higher.

“With what is confronting us, we should not give up hope. As we celebrate, we are hoping that the Lord will renew our strength, our hope, our determination to break barriers and go higher.

“We are sending out a message of hope to Nigeria that we will not lose hoping and trusting in God, in due season, the Lord will lift this nation.

“So, as we celebrate 35 years of our existence, we pray that the Lord will manifest his glory and power, bless Nigeria, her citizens, leadership and raise us from where we are and position us to where he desires us to be.

“Nigeria has the potential to not only be instrumental in transforming our nation, but also in transforming our continent and impacting the world. Be it socially, in terms of economics, in terms of the mineral resources, the wealth God has given us, there is so much in Nigeria.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE