Archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Ibadan, Most Reverend Michael Kehinde Stephen, stated this in his Address at the 56th annual synod of the diocese on Friday, noting that he was certain corruption would disappear if there was true enforcement of the rules.
Speaking at the Bodija Methodist Church venue of the synod, Archbishop Stephen urged the government to do all it could to ensure the rule of law, even as he congratulated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its success so far.
He also congratulated the President Buhari-led government on the release of the Dapchi girls and urged it to vigorously pursue the release of the remaining Dapchi and Chibok girls.
Commending the government for agreeing to establish the state police, he appreciated government’s efforts at revamping the economy and asked for the creation of the enabling environment for businesses to thrive as stated in “the editorial of the Nigerian Tribune of March 8, 2018.”
He also opined that the challenges faced by the nation would have been much less if a regional arrangement under a true federal structure was adopted.
Of his stewardship to the MCN since 1971, Stephen said: “It has been an exciting journey filled with joyful surprises; occasional anxieties; very little by way of personal crisis; courageous circumstances; moments of great exhilaration, and great achievements.”
Many dignitaries gave testimonies of their encounter with the archbishop, and others, their goodwill messages.
Of note was the goodwill message of the retired Archbishop of the Diocese of Ilesa, MCN, Archbishop L.S. Ayoade Ladigbolu, who said Archbishop Stephen was his and his wife’s adopted first son, whose achievements they were very proud of.
Archbishop Ladigbolu could not say much as according to him, he had a lot going on in his mind and he betrayed emotion.
The synod had in attendance people from different walks of life, including the Baba Ijo of Methodist Cathedral, Agbeni, Ibadan, Chief Bode Akindele.
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