EKPOMA – Diocese of Esan, Anglican Communion has called on government at all levels to stem the alarming rates of rape in the country by enforcing appropriate legislation to curb the social menance.

Archbishop Emeritus of Bendel Province, Anglican Communion, and Bishop of Esan Diocese, The Most Rev’d Friday Imaekhai made the call while delivering his Bishop’s Charge to the Third Session of the Sixth Synod of the diocese, held at the St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Eguare-Ekpoma, Edo State.

Archbishop Imaekhai described the menace of rape in Nigeria as ” errant nonsense symptomatic of delinquency and criminal tendency “, which must be checked.

The religious leader who said it was a sign of complete breakdown of the moral tone of the nation, wondered how on earth a man could rape a three month old baby.

” it remains a sad commentary that Nigeria is witnessing all sorts of vices such as corruption, nepotism, human trafficking, terrorism, ritual killings and murder, highway robberies, and now rape has gained currency.

“The society (Nigeria) is gradually sliding into a normless society characterized by these vices and debauchery. How on earth could there be justification for a man raping a three month old baby and others of whatever ages?”, he asked.

He therefore charged the government to swing into action, as according to him, no nation could survive with the kind of vices existing in Nigeria.

On the controversial Infectious Disease Bill, the church recommended that the bill be dropped, due to the contentious nature of clauses, which they described as serious assault on the sensibility of the Nigerian people.

The Archbishop also called for the revamping of dilapidated
Health infrastructure in the country, noting that the reality of the Covid-19 Pandemic has shown that every nation in today’s world, including Nigeria, should consider its health sector as critical aspect of its economy.

” It has been said that the Covid-19 Pandemic will be with us for quite some time. If so, something has to be done. Alternative to lockdown should be sought and places of worship opened for worshipers”, he recommended further.