Anglicans kick against Islamic banking

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA
OWERRI— Angry reactions have continued to trail the planned introduction of Islamic banking system in the country by the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The condemnation was part of a 14-point communiqué issued at the end of the third session of the first synod of the Diocese of Oru, Anglican Communion, and signed by the Bishop and Synod Secretary, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Chukwunenye and Ven. H.U Nnaoma respectively.

“The synod unequivocally condemns the current changes initiated by the Governor of CBN, which promote Islamic/Sharia banking in Nigeria. This is contrary to Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Diocese stated.

The church reminded the CBN governor that Nigeria was a secular state and implored the federal government and National Assembly to be mindful of the implications of imposing Islamic banking on this nation.

The conferees urged government and the lawmakers to prevail on Sanusi to drop this proposal, saying it infringed on the fundamental rights of all the faith-based organizations in the country.

Condemning the spate of violence in some parts of the North, which claimed precious lives and property, the synod demanded that churches destroyed in the mayhem be rebuilt by government and all the victims adequately compensated.