The 38th Annual Synod of Diocese of Igbobini was held in Ondo Circuit, with the theme: “Watch and Pray” Matthew 26:41, with which our Lord Jesus Christ admonished the disciples to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. This means that as Christians we too must watch and pray because a prayerful life is needed in order to be a victor and not a victim.
The Synod was presided over by His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. Olugbenga O.C. Fafeyiwa, Archbishop and Bishop of the Archdiocese/Diocese of Igbobini. Also in attendance were The Rt. Rev. Dr. S.A. Adegbite; Bishop of the Diocese of Owo, Igbobini Diocesan Lay President; Evangelist Sunday O. Adegoke and Hon. Soledayo Ogunniyi; Executive Chairman, Spectrum Books, Ibadan who was the Chief Launcher of Archbishop’s Address. He equally declared the Synod officially opened. Other dignitaries present included Sir Dr. Olu Olakunde (KJW), Sir Dr. Ibukun Omotehinse; the former Archdiocesan Lay President of Archdiocese of Igbobini, Bro, Sunday Lebi, Evangelist Modupe Oluwakemi Oluwaronbi representing Hon. Dr. Abiola Peter Makinde; Member of House of Representatives, Ondo East and West Federal Constituency and Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Rhoda Oluwatoberu Makinde.
At the end of the deliberations, the Synod rose with the following Communique:
- Synod Commends the World Health Organization (WHO) for working round the clock to tackle the menace of the global challenge of Covid-19 pandemic. However, Synod urges them to approve only the vaccines that will guarantee safety of people around the world.
- Synod also calls on all citizens in positions of authority in Nigeria to ensure the strict enforcement of the Covid-19 protocols in all areas of authority. This will curtail the spread of the pandemic.
- Synod condemns the rate of insecurity that has held sway in Nigeria, occasioned by poverty, unemployment and religious fanaticism, Synod therefore urges Federal Government to increase employment and courageously punish those who decided to make themselves criminals and terrorists according to the law of the land.
- Synod notes with concern the series of agitations in the country, and therefore advices that the unity of the Nigeria can only be guaranteed if and only if nobody makes himself or herself an out-law and no group arrogate to themselves the right to exclusively own Nigeria.
- Synod observes that there seems to be no real separation of powers leading to distortions in governance. Synod therefore suggests strongly that there should be proper separation of powers so that there would be equity, fairness, and justice for all.
- Synod observes the rate of inflation in recent times is astronomical and unprecedented. Many Nigerians get impoverished on daily basis as poverty is currently becoming more endemic thereby bringing more hardship to the citizens. Synod prays Federal Government to urgently look into this to reduce the suffering of the masses.
- Synod observes that despite the End SARS protests in Nigeria, the Synod notes that police brutality of innocent citizens has continued. Synod enjoins the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to this.
- Synod congratulates the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on his election for a second term of office. Synod wishes him a successful tenure and urges him to effectively implement his re-jigged programmes of action for the betterment of the citizens.
- Synod commends Ondo State Government for its ingenuity at handling the menace of herdsmen who illegally occupied Government Forest Reserves and also carry out open grazing on private citizens’ lands and farms. Synod, therefore, advices government to make these herdsmen vacate the forests and stop open grazing statewide.
- Synod agitates for the return of missionary schools to their founders for proper development and effective public/private partnership in the education enterprise in Ondo State as Government alone cannot effectively cater for the growing needs of public schools which call for urgent remedy. The synod prays that the conditions for the return of such school would not be too cumbersome.
- Synod pleads with Ondo State Government to consider making payment of workers’ salaries and the pensions and gratuities of retired civil servants in the state a priority.
