Corruption: No one should be shielded, even religious leaders —Archbishop Stephen

ARCHBISHOP of Ibadan, Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), Most Reverend Kehinde Stephen, has commended the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration, urging that there should be no sacred cows, even in religious circles.

He stated this in his address at the official opening of the 55th annual synod of the MCN, Diocese of Ibadan, with the theme, God’s Word, My Guide, at the Methodist Church, Ekotedo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

While commending the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its efforts on governance and security so far, he also praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its courage and tenacity of purpose.

“Whatever needs to be done to win the fight against corruption should be supported. No one should be shielded, including religious leaders. There should be no sacred cows. We must also not forget the civil service, and the need to enforce the rule of law,” he stated.

He advised the government to address unemployment, lack of social welfare schemes, reinvesting in the education sector and teaching of the values of life, hard work and honesty, as ways to reduce kidnapping.

He cautioned clerics to refrain from overemphasising prosperity messages with the tendency to encourage lazy people into committing crime.

He applauded the strides of the present administration in addressing insurgency and the international community, NGOs, corporate and religious organisations and well-meaning individuals for their efforts, and called for efforts to ensure that displaced persons were properly reintegrated into the society.

He also stressed the need for government at all levels, to, as a matter of priority, address the issue of farmers/ herdsmen clashes, while advocating the need for states to be allowed to make recommendations and work out mechanisms for cattle rearers.

In his address at the event, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, of Oyo State, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor (Dr) Gbade Ojo, called on church leaders to distance themselves from corrupt practices.

Ajimobi also commended the MCN for its efforts in partnering with government to ensure the provision of quality education.

The synod, which featured Bible study, ministerial sessions, presentations of work reports, among others, was attended by Bishop Amos Ajiboye of Agodi Diocese; Bishop Joseph Osifuwa of Oyo Diocese; Bishop David Moradeyo of Ogbomoso Diocese; the synod secretary, Very Reverend Olusoji Mewoyeka; lay president, Dr Ademola Idowu.