WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE RT. REV. DR. PETER A. ADEBIYI THE LORD BISHOP, DIOCESE OF LAGOS WEST AT A2-DAY SEMINAR ON TRANSFORMATION: WHICH WAY NIGERIA HELD ON THURSDAY, 23RD 2006 AT AVMCC, G.R.A. IKEJA

See pictures here:

The Chancellor and other Legal Officers of the Diocese Our Nominees and AppoinJees
Our respected invited facilitators
Members of the Clergy and Laity
Gentlemen of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

On behalf of myself and the entire Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), I want to welcome you to this seminar on "Transformation: Which way Nigeria" I want to particularly thank our guest speakers for these two days who inspite of all circumstances have agreed to corne. I want to sincerely thank the Chairman - Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Former External Affairs Minister - Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi; our respected Public Health Consultant and erudite scholar, Prof. O. Ladipo Akinkugbe; Former Senator, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ike Nwachukwu; the Managing Director ­ Bank of Industry, Ms. E.N. Oputu and the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos - Prof. aye Ibidapo-Obe. I want to appreciate the effort all of you have made to come to deliver these lectures. I pray God to be with you all, bless you and the entire members of your families in Jesus name.

The theme of our Synod this year is Transformation and we have organised series of seminars based on this between July and now. Since charity begins at home, the last four seminars were organized for the members of this Diocese. We have addressed those who exercise authority in our churches in the Diocese - the Parish Councilors.

We have also addressed the Youth, the Women and of course those who handle sensitive issues in our churches - such as the Guild of Stewards and Altar Servers. On December 8, 2006, by the grace of God, we shall conduct the seminar for all our Clergy and their wives. This 2-day seminar is meant for all those within the Diocese, those outside of it, politicians, the law enforcement agents and agencies and of course all those who operate the private and public sectors of our economy.

Without any doubt, we all know that our country is unhealthy in many ways, and if we are to make the future of our children more meaningful, there must be a transformation of all the sectors of our country. Nigeria obtained its independence forty-six years ago, at a time many other countries of the world obtained theirs. There are other countries otherwise referred to as 3rd world countries, just like Nigeria, who have moved away from their underdevelopment status and are now regarded as developed countries. There were yet some countries that came to Nigeria in the early sixties to learn about the governance of our Country and about our agricultural development.

Today, they are far better in governance; they are far better in agricultural and other economic development. Asking questions about what caused our seeming backwardness is begging the issue. We know that the root of our problem in Nigeria today is bad governance and corruption. Beginning from the very long era of military dictatorship when there was no accountability in governance and during which period, our economy was almost strangulated, to the devaluation of our Naira which used to be one of the most powerful currencies in the world when the military took over but which at some point in time became one of the weakest. currencies in the world. Then they reluctantly disengaged themselves leaving behind a huge foreign debt for Nigerians to settle.

We thank God for the civilian government of the past seven years. Although most of those who rule us are military personnel in mufti, these days, at least people can express themselves more freely, they can offer more objective criticisms as more democratic structures have been put in place. However, corruption and evil practices are still very much around us. Infact, corruption has assumed such an alarming proportion that one can conclude that it is wearing an official toga as most people are no longer afraid or ashamed to offer or take bribe publicly.

In the days gone by, there were issues that would ordinarily make government officials resign immediately they are accused of corruption or are accused of using their office to confer undue advantage on their private concerns. Today, what we hear is "I did not beg him, I did not force him to offer me anything, the gifts are voluntary" etc., even when we know that the sources of the gifts are dubious, we still feebly defend ourselves and carryon with government business as usual.

While we thank the E.F.C.C., the I.C.P.C. etc for waging this strong battle against corruption, we are still astounded that a lot of corrupt people who by now ought to be in jail, are still walking majestically around our streets and are confident to ask for the votes of the Nigerian people, so they can finish the uncompleted work of destruction they left behind, at an earlier time.

In the private sector, blue chip companies were established before Independence and blossomed very well under the expatriate leaders. After Independence the expatriates left our country and handed over their interests into the hands of Nigerians. Nigerians took over and mis­managed these companies. Today, the expatriates have come back to take over the management of these companies again. It appears as if we are experiencing economic re-colonization. Is this not a big shame? You all know the companies, most of them are based in Lagos. These are the things that can make people weep.

In Nigeria today, all the legacies received from our colonial masters have been bastardized. The railways, the aviation sector, the road network, the electricity supply, education, the urban planning and development and infact our democracy. I am almost sure that if a referendum is conducted in Nigeria today, some people will probably vote for the nation to become a British Colony once again. Are these not devastating and shameful?

We are dehumanized and impoverished by those who have corruptly taken over what rightly belongs to all Nigerians. Weare almost like a country without hope after waiting for forty-six years without much relief. Nigerians are weeping within but the suffering is seen everywhere. Most Nigerians are slaves in the hands of the few shameless abysmally corrupt individuals who want to hold on to their ill-gotten wealth forever to the detriment of the populace.

Ladies and gentlemen, the church cannot fold its hands, close its eyes, tie its hands and legs and pretend that nothing is happening. This is the reason for the Synod theme of this year "Transformation". That is why we have called you to speak to us and the entire nation. May be by the divine power of the Almighty, our words here can develop wings and fly to every comer of our country and effect positive changes.

Because Christ our Lord lives and He is the hope of glory, we in the Diocese of Lagos West have not lost hope, we have not resigned to fate. When Elijah was in trouble in Israel, he asked the Lord to take him away because he felt he was the only true and faithful servant of the Lord in Israel. But the Lord told him there were seven hundred others hidden that still belonged to God.

We believe that there are still some honest people in this country that God can raise to redeem us, but they have no money, they have not stolen and so cannot have the kind of money required to play politics and corruptly influence the people and buy their votes. This seminar is to sensitize Nigerians to prayerfully and sincerely look beyond the corrupt politicians and business people and search for a political redeemer suitable for a nation under siege.

I am optimistic that our facilitators here today will deal with candour, these various issues put before them, such that at the end of the seminar, we may have a very short but powerful, sincere and convincing message for our beloved country. It is my prayer that the Lord will use this seminar for His glory, the edification of his people and for the good of us all.

Once more you are welcome and the Lord will be with you. Amen.