Lafia Anglican Bishop urges leaders to address challenges instead of apportioning blame

Rev. Godwin Robinson, Bishop of the Church of Nigeria Nigeria, Anglican Communion Lafia Diocese, Nasarawa State has called on political and community leaders to focus on solving Nigeria’s pressing problems instead of lamenting or worsening them with divisive rhetoric.

The Bishop made the call on Sunday in Lafia during the annual two-day synod of the church aimed at praying for God's intervention as well as enhancing spiritual stability and prosperity for the nation.

Synod is an annual assembly of all clergy of the church to engage in a series of activities including review and prayers for the church, state and the country.

Speaking during the event, the Bishop said the country is at a critical point where leadership must be defined by action, empathy, and solutions. 

“Nigerians are tired of lamentations. The challenges we face are real, but multiplying them through blame games, division, and empty talk will not help us.

“Leaders at all levels must rise, address the issues of insecurity, poverty, economy, unemployment, and unity, and give the people hope," Robinson added.

He urged those in authority to prioritise the welfare of citizens over political interests, stressing that governance is service, not entitlement. 

According to him, leaders should collaborate across party and ethnic lines to deliver practical solutions that ease hardship.

“Stop multiplying the burdens of the people. Instead, multiply opportunities, multiply peace, multiply development,” the bishop charged. 

“When leaders act with sincerity and fear of God, the nation will heal faster.”

The bishop also prayed for peace and stability in Nasarawa State and Nigeria, while commending citizens for their resilience despite economic and security difficulties.

The cleric also commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for the developmental strides especially road infrastructure in Lafia the state capital and other areas of the state.

"The situation of roads and other infrastructure in the state has now changed compared to 10 years ago," he said.

The Bishop also tasked leaders at all levels on inclusivity to give every tribe and religion a sense of belonging as according to him that would guarantee peace and stability of the system.

He therefore, noted that while Christians need to pray always, success only comes through hard and smart work and not just through prayers and fasting.

"Every Christian should pray and work hard and smartly too to succeed in their chosen endeavours," he added. 

The theme of the 2026 synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion of Lafia Diocese is Repositioning to Recover. (NAN).