Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa, Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, spoke about the current economic environment that has thrown many Nigerians into severe pain despite the promises from its leaders that it will be for a short time.

Akinfenwa said this while preaching as Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, consecrated four new bishops for the church at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, 27th August, 2023.

The newly consecrated Bishops are Ifedola Okupevi of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, Ebenezer Saiki of Akoko Edo Diocese, Venerable Collins Babalola of the Anglican Diocese of Ajayi Crowther and Venerable Festus Nwafili of Ndokwa Diocese.

Akinfenwa said, “Even if we say it is temporary, the truth is that people are in severe pain. And when people are pushed to tears, it is clergymen who offer their shoulders for people to lean on and cry upon.

“Despite all the noise of worship in the land, who is not embarrassed by the level of corruption, crime, and bad culture in the country? It is often said that a society gets the kind of leadership it deserves. Even the leader that was described as the epitome of integrity and the champion of anti-corruption, for eight years, corruption practically gave him a knockout.”

While dishing more advice to the men of God, he added, “Don’t be distracted. There is a lot of work to be done. This is divine recruitment. This should be taken as a challenge, not an achievement. This should be taken as a call to service.”