Religious leaders in a Ekiti State under the Nigerian Baptist Convention, has called on the Federal Government to urgently attend to the deplorable roads in the state.
The body who noted with dismay, the worsening condition of the road infrastructure in Ekiti State particularly Federal roads and the need for Government to urgently repair the roads and improve other social amenities within the State.
The Christian leaders expressed the concern in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti by the Conference Public Relations Officer, Comrade Demola Atobaba, through a communique jointly signed by the president of Ekiti Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr. Emanuel Adeyinka Aribasoye and the Chairman; Rev. Rotimi Samuel Oluwaleye at the 28th Annual Conference in Session of Ekiti Baptist of the Nigerian Baptist Convention held in Epe-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government after six days of exhaustive deliberations.
The Conference noted with facts that almost all Federal roads entering Ekiti State are in their worst state of disrepair mostly caused by the diversion of heavy trucks to the major roads linking Lagos to the Northern parts of the Country.
According to them, “the massive flow of these heavy trucks is the major reason behind the regular damage of the roads linking Ekiti with other parts of the Country. For this reason, the Conference observed and called for the dualization of some of the roads which include Ado-Ijan-Ikare Road, Ado-Aramoko-Efon-Ijebu-Jesa Road, Ado-Ikole-Omuo-Kabba Road etc. Also, the State Government is hereby called upon to expedite work on State roads under construction and rehabilitation to reduce the sufferings of the masses. The Conference commended the State Government for the completion and commissioning of the 2nd Flyover bridge in Ado-Ekiti and several other inter-state roads. It is without bias that the Conference noted that no single administration has embarked on the volume of roads this administration has completed in a space of four years. We are however, asking for more”.
They also kicked against the proposed bill to criminalize preaching inside public buses and other public places in the country.
The conference who also frowned on the proposed bill urged the federal government to reverse such decision as it violates the fundamental rights of citizens’ freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance as enshrined in Section 38(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
The Conference urged the National Assembly to resist and reject such bill, as such law is totally rejected and would be observed in its disobedience, as Christians are commissioned to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all Nations as directed by God in Matthew 28:19–20, and we would rather obey God than men, as exemplified by the Apostles in Acts 5:29 – Holy Bible.
The Conference again noted the need to review the curriculum for Basic, Secondary and Tertiary Education in the country, to meeting the current yearnings and needs of our society. The Conference again demanded the reintroduction of Bible knowledge and Christian Religious studies in our curriculum, particularly in Mission Schools, so as to teach and inculcate the basic Christians values in the pupils/children from the foundation as enjoined by the Bible in Proverbs 22:6, KJV “Train a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
The christian body, with profound gratitude, commended the Federal Government’s School Feeding Policy that was extended to Mission Schools.
“The Conference was excited to state in categorical terms that few Baptist Mission Schools were given money as other government owned schools for the implementation of the School Feeding Policy of the Federal Government. This is novel as it is first of its kind around here. The Conference urged the State and Local Governments to copy and implement similar programs so that greater number of children/pupils can benefit from such laudable program.
“We therefore encouraged the Federal Government to continue the policy as it has helped not only the families but also encouraged enrolment of more children in our schools as well as banished malnutrition in our schools”.
They equally commended the Federal Government’s Loan Policy for students and urged Governments at all levels to key into the policy and implement same by setting up Education Loan Boards in States and Local Governments so as to ensure replication at the State and Local Government levels.
Baptist family also hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the successful conduct of both Ekiti and Osun States elections, as the results clearly manifest the will of the masses of those states.
The Conference equally thanked Mr. President and Commander-in-chief of Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his non-interference in the electoral process and allowing the people to choose their leaders. On this note, the Conference encouraged Christians to arise and participate in politics so as to shine the light of God in their various spheres of influence and maintain good governance and provide godly leadership in the country.
The Conference congratulated the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and the Executive Governor of Osun State, Mr. Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on their reelection in the just concluded off-season elections. The Conference prayed for them and would continue to encourage them to implement policies that will cater for the welfare of their States and promote good governance in their respective states, using their influence rightly for the benefit of the people.
The Conference equally cautioned politicians to play politics by the rules as we prepare towards the general election next year. The Conference prayed for a peaceful general election come year 2027 and urged all stakeholders to be upright and shun violence as they vote for candidates of their choice.
The Conference thanked the Federal and State Governments on the release of the Eda Oniyo and Oyo State kidnapped victims and the arrests of suspects made so far. It is the resolve of the Conference that security and law enforcement agencies should pursue the cases to logical conclusions to serve as deterrent. The Conference commended the BAO led administration for taking over the payment of hospital bill and provision of other incentives for the released victims when they were admitted into the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital. We also commended the Ekiti State CAN and the Southwest CAN leaderships for the money gifts given to the victims. The Conference urged Government at all levels to provide adequate security around churches and worship centres in order to protect the vulnerable in the society. The Conference equally admonished churches to be more security conscious in their operations and be ready to defend themselves against any external aggression. Churches are encouraged to notify and engage the services of security personnel anytime they have special programs for adequate security coverage.
The conference equally urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow States and Local Governments to have and maintain their police for better security network in the Country. The Conference also called on all Security forces to work in collaboration and synergy for better performance.
The conference noted the increasing poverty in the land, maybe due to the removal of subsidies and other economic measures employed by the Federal Government. The Conference urged the Governments at all levels to continue to implement/take palliative measures in improving the welfare of the masses/citizenry. We are not downplaying the efforts of the State government in youth-oriented programs. The Conference enjoined Governments to continue to increase and implement policies that care for the needs of the people by ensuring cash flow in the society. The Conference urged Government at all levels to empower more people in setting up their businesses or give grants to groups that needs government intervention.
“The Conference frowns on the proposed bill to criminalize preaching inside public buses and other public places and urged the Government to reverse such decision as it violates the fundamental rights of citizens’ freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance as enshrined in Section 38(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”.
The conference urged the National Assembly to resist and reject such bill, as such law is totally rejected and would be observed in its disobedience, as Christians are commissioned to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all Nations as directed by God in Matthew 28:19–20, and we would rather obey God than men, as exemplified by the Apostles in Acts 5:29 (Holy Bible).
“Christians are therefore enjoined to reject and resist such obnoxious Bill/law that directly negates/contradicts divine instructions to Christians.
The Conference finally resolved to continue to pray for the leadership of this Country and Nigerians until God restores the fortunes of this land and make the country a better Nation and people for His glory.
Highlights of the annual event includes official parade by Royal Ambassadors, Girls Auxiliary, Lydia, Bible Studies, Revival Programs and intensive prayers with the theme: “Following Jesus”, while the text was taken from Matthew 16:24-25, under the topic: “Highlighted the Benefits/Rewards and Cost of Following Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by believers and the need for humanity to heed the warnings of not following Jesus Christ”.