*** Says God will deliver Nigeria.

***As the 13th Synod kicks off

By Henry Umoru, ABUJA

Disturbed by mounting economic pressure, insecurity, fear, poverty, and social uncertainty in the country, the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Henry Ndukuba, has urged Nigerians to return to God and embrace the Holy Spirit for change.

He has urged the citizens not to surrender to the growing challenges but to become agents of peace and hope in their communities, just as he declared that Nigeria can overcome its present difficulties if citizens and faith communities remain committed to unity, service, and spiritual renewal.

Ndukuba, who is also the Bishop of Abuja, gave the assurance while fielding questions from journalists during the first session of the 13th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Abuja, held at St James Anglican Church, Asokoro.

Using the Synod as a platform for national renewal, spiritual rejuvenation and collective action against monetary insecurity and economic and social uncertainties, the Anglican Primate declared that they are surmountable and would be surmounted.

“God will strengthen us in the face of these challenges. God will hear us. God will deliver our nation, and God will help our people,” he said.

Speaking on the theme “The Priesthood of All Believers: Equipping God’s People for the Work of Ministry”, Ndukuba said the Church must take a more active role in addressing the realities of hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.

He said the present season of insecurity, poverty, and fear demands more than prayers alone, urging Christians to become active instruments of peace and support in their communities.

The primate also noted that the 13th synod marked the beginning of another three-year cycle for the Abuja Diocese, during which new officers and leaders would be elected to oversee the affairs of the church.

“In a time when people are suffering, in a time of insecurity, fear, hunger, and poverty, it is necessary for us to make ourselves available not only to God but also to the people around us,” he said.

Despite acknowledging the nation’s challenges, the primate, who struck a hopeful tone, insisted that Nigeria’s struggles would not define its future, saying, “We are trusting God that the light of hope will not go out. Rather, God will strengthen us so that in the face of challenges, we will stand strong to declare the counsel and excellency of God. God will hear us, deliver our nation, and help our people.”

His message framed the synod not only as a religious gathering but also as a moment of national reflection, where the Church is re-evaluating its role in a troubled society and repositioning itself as a source of moral guidance and social support.

“Given our context of ministry in Nigeria, in a time when people are suffering, in a time of insecurity, in a time of much fear, in a time of much hunger and poverty, it is necessary for us to make ourselves available, not only to God, but also to the people around us, to be instruments of God’s peace and God’s power, touching lives and situations and families,” he said.

He explained that the synod was centred on preparing believers for service to both God and humanity, noting that Christianity must go beyond worship to practical impact on society.

According to him, “Christians must return to God, remain committed to His word and submit themselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to influence the nation positively.

“Our prayer is that as we gather in this conference, God will so bless us that as we rise from this place, we will not only stand in the place of prayer but also be people who return back to the word of God and are teachable and are empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we will be able to touch the lives of the people around us.”

Expressing confidence that Nigeria would overcome its present difficulties, he declared that “God will deliver our nation and God will help our people.” God will so strengthen us that in the face of challenges we will stand strong to declare the counsel and excellence of our God.”

In his sermon, Ven. Titilope Ogbonyomi said that the teachings and presentations at the synod were intended to awaken participants spiritually and prepare them to discern God’s direction for the church at a critical time.

Speaking on the theme, “The Priesthood of All Believers, Equipping People for the Work of Ministry”, Ogbonyomi stressed the need for Christians to understand the true meaning of priesthood and the implication of Apostle Peter’s description of believers as “a royal priesthood”.

He warned against what he described as the gradual erosion of the true meaning of being a believer in contemporary society, arguing that changing cultural values and societal pressures were redefining truth and distorting God’s intentions for humanity.

“The believer is not defined by culture, opinion, or popular trends, but by a living relationship with Jesus Christ and complete submission to His lordship,” he said.

Also speaking was a diplomat and statesman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, who described the synod as a rare convergence of faith and national responsibility, noting that its significance extends beyond church administration into nation-building, and said that the Anglican synod remains one of the highest decision-making platforms in the church, where spiritual direction and societal concerns intersect.

Igali, who noted that the presence of the primate in Abuja further elevates the importance of the gathering, as the capital city naturally positions the Church at the heart of national discourse, said, “It is also significant because Abuja is the capital of the country. The prayers here are not only for the Church but also for the government, the president, and the nation as a whole.”

He added that the synod’s theme reflects a deliberate shift toward empowering ordinary believers to see themselves as active contributors to both spiritual life and national development.

Igali noted that discussions at the synod are expected to focus on strengthening the Church’s relevance in addressing social challenges while encouraging greater civic responsibility among Christians.

“We have about 600 delegates who will be deliberating on how the Church and individual believers can become more effective and more relevant to society,” he said.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, as host of the synod, describing its location near key national institutions as symbolically significant for a church engaging with governance and leadership.

Also in his remarks, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, who described the synod as a period of reflection and evaluation for the Anglican Communion, said, ‘Synod is a time of soul searching for the Anglican Communion. It’s a time to take account of what has gone on in the previous year, what is going on now, and where the church will go in the next year.”

Also speaking, Justice of the Court of Appeal Sybil Nwaka-Gbagi said the gathering was a moment of gratitude and renewed hope, praying for continued divine guidance for the Church and the nation.

The synod continues in Abuja, with delegates expected to focus on strengthening ministry, deepening community engagement, and redefining the church’s role in Nigeria’s evolving social and economic challenges.

The gathering, held in Abuja under heightened national attention, has drawn bishops, clergy, and hundreds of delegates from across the country to deliberate on how the Church can remain relevant in a changing and often difficult national landscape.