By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has asked the church to stop mounting undue pressure on politicians, especially public office holders, for money.
He said the fight against corruption would be easier fought and won if the church reduced financial pressures on government officials.
Soludo spoke at the weekend during the first Session of 13th Synod Of Anglican Diocese Of Awka at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of the State themed, “Running the Christian Race: Implications For The Family In Perilous Times” .
The function was attended by scores of Archbishop, Bishops and other clerics and the laity.
Soludo said while the church would be pointing an accusing finger on the people over the misdemeanours in society, other fingers might be pointing in the direction of the church in the same manner.
He said part of his administration’s code of conduct included banning public donations by government officials.
Soludo said, “For the church, if we must fight corruption, we must lessen the incredible pressure on those holding public offices.
“You can imagine someone whose salary is N300,000, making a pledge of N2million to the church because he wants to please the crowd, where do you want him to get it from? Of course he must have to steal to pay.
“That’s one of the things we’re trying to address by entrenching as part of our code of conduct not making public our donation. You can’t say you were pressured by the priest.”
Describing the church as critical partner and most important civil society group, the Governor commended the church over her support to his government, calling for sustenance of such partnership.
The Governor who noted that the body of Christ is one, condemned the resurgence of idolatry in the state ,emphasizing the importance of defining the Christian identity for the upcoming generation.
He said, “As we build the symbol of the state, we must ingrain it as a state, predominantly dominated by christians.
“Taking Anambra to the next level will require all of us working together.” We must bond together as a state, including the entire South-East.
“Because the church represents who we are, we must unite and work harder to move Anambra forward.
“There is a call to duty as well as a call to action!” The church has a role to play in shifting the situation from a perilous to a glamorous society.
“We must be the change we want to see because we will be known by our fruits.
“The society would be a better place if every family or individuals live out the true meaning of our calling as Christians.
Our personal and collective responsibility is where the action is.
He urged churches to assist in desilting drainages, plant trees, campaign towards stopping running water flowing out from residential houses, which he said caused erosion.
He asked the church to reintroduce its missionary component, which the governor said included building of schools and educating the poor.
