By Dansu Peter
A section of members of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Lagos Diocese have declared the freedom to associate and meet is guaranteed by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
In a press statement in response to a letter addressed to the Provost, archdeacons and vicars of the Lagos Diocese from the office of the diocesan Bishop, Right Reverend Adebola Ademowo, signed by one of the elders of the diocese, Asiwaju Fola Osibo, the members reiterated that the freedom to associate with one another and any person remains sacrosanct, as entrenched in provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The statement, made available to LEADERSHIP SATURDAY reemphasized that a meeting scheduled and called for Sunday, May 20, at Yetunde Apartment, Michelle Okocha, Crescent, off Olamiyun Avenue, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi Lagos, is on course.
Asiwaju Osibo said that the main agenda of the meeting is to “prayerfully consider the role of the laity in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and how it status can be reactivated to ensure the promotion of their faith and the expansion of the doctrine of Jesus Christ.”
He added, “We have been made aware of a letter dated 12 May…which was rad to the laity across all churches that make up the Diocese of Lagos, where the authors purported to ban you all from meeting under the pretext that the said meeting is illegal and in breach of the constitution and canons of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, we have consulted our lawyers who have advised us that the meeting is not illegal, nor is it convened in breach of the constitution and canons of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.”
The release added that rather, the meeting is being convened in the exercise of the fundamental rights of freedom of though and association as enshrined in Sections 38 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended).
Osibo concluded that in view of this development, all interested members of the laity of the CoN, Anglican Communion, are expected to prayerfully attend the meeting, which is scheduled to hold at 2 pm.
Culled from Leadership
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