Bayelsa Government Donates Land For Proposed Anglican University

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (left) and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, during the latter’s courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
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Bayelsa State Government has pledged to provide land for the proposed establishment of an Anglican university in the state. Governor Douye Diri made the pledge in response to a request by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, who led other bishops of the Diocese of Niger Delta West on a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.

Describing Anglican schools as strong institutions that contributed to producing responsible members of society, Diri stated that hosting an Anglican university would positively impact the state and the Niger Delta region.

He said the state was eager to have its first private university and that the government would support such initiatives as it would accord the people more access to education. Diri also urged the clergy to speak up against injustice in the country, stating that Nigeria is in dire need of such voices due to the ills in our society, and attributed the successes recorded under his administration to God and appreciated the Anglican Primate for the visit.

He thanked the Bishop of the Diocese of the Niger Delta West for his work in promoting the gospel. His words: “Your request for land for the proposed Anglican university is a good request. The government will provide the land. We will acquire it for you. I am doing this because Bayelsa does not have a private university. So, we are happy and we are prepared to host the Anglican University.  “The Anglican Church has over the years produced leaders of worth. It is a good thing that we have an Anglican institution domiciled in Bayelsa and I believe that it will impact positively the state and add value to the Niger Delta region.

“Some of us are where we are today because of the upbringing we received in the Anglican schools we attended.

“Our country is going through difficult times. The Anglican Church in Nigeria needs a voice like South Africa’s late Desmond Tutu, who constantly stood against injustice, against inequity in his country and the world. We have Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Church. The Anglican Church can equally stand up against inequity and inequality.

Responding, Ndukuba said he visited the state to dedicate a Bishop’s Court Chapel and Diocesan Secretariat of the Diocese of Niger Delta West.

He explained that the Anglican Church in Nigeria was self-governing and self-sustaining and would continue to stand against heresies, violence and injustice in the country.

Ndukuba appreciated the governor for creating an enabling environment for the promotion of the Gospel of Christ in the state and commended him for the judicious use of the state’s resources to develop the state.