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The Fourth Global Anglican Future Conference and the Kigali Commitment

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2023

Eric

By Dolapo Aina

The fourth Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) held between Monday, 17th and Friday, 21st of April 2023, bringing together circa one thousand three hundred and two delegates from fifty-two countries, including three hundred and fifteen bishops, four hundred and fifty-six other clergy and five hundred and thirty-one laity.

On the opening day, the conference delegates were addressed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente who spoke of the significance of the conference.

The conference theme for 2023 ‘To Whom Shall We Go?’ (John 6:68), along with the Bible studies in the Letter to the Colossians, focused the delegates’ attention on Jesus Christ.

GAFCON’s Chairman in his opening address encouraged delegates to be a repenting church, a reconciling church, a reproducing church and a relentlessly compassionate church. The delegates were also reminded that the purpose and mission of the church is to make known to a lost world the glorious riches of the Gospel by proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, and living faithfully together as his disciples.

In an official statement, GAFCON stated that; “Many among us are from contexts of persecution or conflict and we know that as one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. Some were unable to attend the conference because of this. We prayed for our brothers and sisters in Sudan, and for the suffering church. We also heard testimony of the power of the Gospel to transform lives even in these circumstances through the prayer, kindness and compassion of Christians.”

The fourth GAFCON conference statement titled: The Kigali Commitment 2023 focused on eight separate topics, including the current crisis in the Anglican Communion, the failure of the Archbishop of Canterbury and resetting the Communion, just to name a few.

According to Right Reverend Dr Michael Stead, Bishop of South Sydney and Chair of the GAFCON Statement Committee; “The Kigali Commitment reflects the mind of the one thousand three hundred delegates at this conference. They in turn represent most of the world’s worshipping Anglicans (estimated to be around 85%). What is clear from this conference is that most of the world’s Anglicans have lost confidence in the Archbishop of Canterbury to provide a Godly way forward that will be acceptable to those who are committed to the truthfulness, clarity, sufficiency and authority of Scripture. This grieves us, but it is they who have walked away from us.”

The Gafcon statement revealed that; “Gafcon stands ready to welcome those who feel they can no longer remain in the Church of England because of the failure of its leadership and is actively looking for ways to stand with and support faithful Anglicans who choose to remain within the Church of England. This includes churches in England, but also extends to churches all around the world where similar failures in leadership exist.”

The Kigali Commitment reads, ‘The purpose and mission of the church is to make known to a lost world the glorious riches of the gospel by proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, and living faithfully together as his disciples. The gospel of the risen Lord Jesus is our priority, and we are excited to get on with the task of proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations,” says Bishop Stead.”

The media conference which wrapped up the fourth Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) had as guests; Bishop Michael Stead, Conference Statement Committee Chair and Bishop of South Sydney in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney; Archbishop Ben Kwashi, General Secretary of GAFCON Global and Archbishop in the Anglican Church of Nigeria; Archbishop Foley Beach, Chairman of GAFCON Global and Primate of the Anglican Church of North America and Reverend Canon Daniel Willis, GAFCON Global Operations Manager.

Aina writes from Kigali, Rwanda

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Nigeria is in a Full-blown State of Emergency – Atiku

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2025

Eric

A former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said that the country is presently in a full blown state of emergency.

The former VP, who was the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 Presidential election, made the remarks in a press statement, signed by his media aide, Mr. Paul Ibe.

Atiku questioned, concerning the crises bedeviling the country currently ‘When will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous Presidency?’

The statement reads in full:

On April 2, 2025, President Bola Tinubu flew out to France. Had this absurd announcement come just a day earlier, Nigerians would have dismissed it as an April Fool’s joke. But sadly, it’s no prank — just another insult to a nation pushed to the brink by a presidency that treats its citizens like fools.

The official excuse? A so-called “working visit.” But Nigerians aren’t buying the spin. The presidency scrambled to clarify that it wasn’t a medical trip — how noble. But even if it’s not medical tourism, what justification is there for gallivanting across Europe while Nigeria bleeds? What kind of leader borrows billions only to blow scarce funds on vanity trips abroad? It’s not just irresponsible— it’s contemptuous.

Let the facts speak for themselves. By the time Tinubu struts back from this latest escapade, he will have racked up a staggering 59 days in France since assuming office. “See Paris and die?” No — see Paris and abandon your country.

While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks. Benue is bleeding. Boko Haram is seizing territory. And every single day, Nigerians sink deeper into poverty, insecurity, and despair.

This isn’t just negligence. It’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.

If Tinubu had even a shred of empathy, he would cut his trip short and return immediately. A leader with an ounce of patriotism wouldn’t need to be begged to show up in times of crisis. The constitution says the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. But under Tinubu, that sacred duty has been trashed.

Let’s be honest: there is absolutely nothing Tinubu is doing in France that he couldn’t do in Lagos, or even in Iragbiji. This so-called “working visit” is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon.

Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency. Not a contrived political emergency like what Tinubu declared in Rivers for partisan gain — this is a national collapse. So when, exactly, will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous presidency?

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Report That I Summoned Rivers Governor, Deputy, False – Ibas

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2025

Eric

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd.), has denied reports claiming that he summoned the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, for questioning.

The claim, widely circulated on social media, was described by the state government as “false and misleading.”

In an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dede Friday, Ibas described the reports as “fraudulent announcements” deliberately spread to incite unrest.

“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.

“One such false report claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been summoned to the Government House to explain certain appointments and other state matters,” the statement read.

The government dismissed this as fake, emphasizing that it did not come from any official source.

“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source.

“The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilise the state,” the statement added.

To combat further misinformation, the government urged the public to rely solely on verified channels for information.

These include the official Rivers State Government website (www.riversstate.gov.ng), authorized social media pages such as the Rivers State Government Facebook page, press releases from the Governor’s Office and the SSG, and approved traditional media outlets.

Citizens were also encouraged to verify all information before sharing and to maintain calm during this sensitive political

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Ibas Summons Rivers Gov Fubara to Account for Two Years of Governance

Published

3 days ago

April 15, 2025

Eric

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (retd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has summoned suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

This was contained in a special announcement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika.

Worika disclosed that the summons forms part of an official inquiry into appointments made during the Fubara administration over the past two years.

According to the statement, Fubara has been directed to present comprehensive documentation and records related to appointments made while in office.

This includes, among other things, the rationale and procedures that guided those decisions.

The full statement reads:

“RIVERS GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

“The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, has formally summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him for an inquiry into the appointments made under their administration over the past two years.

“Sir Fubara is directed to present all relevant documents and records pertaining to appointments, including justifications and procedures followed during his tenure. The session will also serve as an opportunity for the suspended Governor to provide a clear and detailed explanation as to why he believes he should be reinstated to office.

“Both parties are expected to appear in person as follows:

Date: Friday, 18th April, 2025
Time: 10:00am Prompt
Venue: Conference Room, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt

Attendance is mandatory. This process forms part of the Sole Administrator’s ongoing efforts to restore transparency and accountability and lasting peace in the governance of Rivers State.
Signed:
Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika
Secretary to the State Government”