Don’t misuse your opportunity – Akinfenwa urges LG chairmen

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

The Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, has urged local government chairmen not to misuse the financial autonomy recently granted to them by the Supreme Court.

Akinfenwa, speaking on Sunday at the Trinity Ordination and Installation of Canons held at St. James The Great, Cathedral, Ibadan, said Thursday’s judgment proved that the judiciary was impartial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the apex court ruled that all state governors should, henceforth, steer clear of the funds meant for the nation’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

“Now that the LGAs have power, they must be careful not to deceive us; they must let us know those of them who are indeed LG officials, right from the chairmen.

“They must begin to hold town hall meetings and that they are now full-fledged, with lots of resources, does not allow them to start to do just anything.

“It does not permit them to go having first ladies, second and third ladies.

“It doesn’t permit them to start creating unnecessary positions; they should use the money to disseminate good health and welfare to the populace.

“They must not begin to duplicate luxury; buying exorbitant cars and houses unnecessarily shouldn’t be their aim.

“Their aim should be to care for the citizens and the underprivileged, thinking of rural places with bad roads and working on them,” he said.

The bishop also encouraged farmers to plant seriously this rainy season, while urging the government to arrange for the buying of farm produce from the farmers.

According to him, when farmers plant and harvest but do not see anybody to buy, it becomes a big problem.

“The Federal Government must be prepared to buy products from farmers and stock so that when the dry season comes again, the government will be able to distribute and give to everybody.

“Leaders should try to answer the poor and underprivileged in the country because people are, really, hungry and angry; the government should urgently answer them,” Akinfenwa urged.

In his sermon, Ven. Gbenga Olagundoye, Chaplain, Lead City University, Ibadan, described a call to service, whether in the church or society, as a call to increased responsibility.

Olagundoye said part of the implications of the call to leadership were higher scrutiny and closer examination of actions.

He emphasised that leaders, including priests, should make decisions that would positively impact people’s lives.

The preacher urged leaders to represent God well as role models and be ready to give worthy accounts of their services.

“We should recognise our callings as privileges and not as rights; let’s crave wisdom and the spirit of discernment for proper decision-making.

“Priests and leaders should be role models that bring people back to the right track; we need integrity and personal sacrifice, networking and collaborating to build God’s kingdom,” he said.

According to Olagundoye, Christians, as rescued people are bound to rescue others by preaching the saving gospel of Jesus.

He prayed for grace for the priests to serve well, overcome limitations and finish strong.

NAN reports that the newly ordained priests are, Rev. Oluwafemi Aranju, Rev. Akinwale Akinbanji, Rev. Sunday Bewaji, Rev. Felix Abayomi and Rev. Emmanuel Oyadiji.

The canons are, Rev. Canon Olusina Olubodun, Rev. Canon Samuel Olaleye, and Rev. Canon Isaac Ayelaagbe. (NAN)