By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Calabar, Rt. Rev. Prof. Nneoyi Onen Egbe, has issued a damning verdict on the current state of the Nigerian nation, describing it as “dead” and calling for an urgent national rebirth through sweeping constitutional, institutional, and socio-political reforms.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday to mark the 2nd Session of the 12th Synod of the Diocese, holding at St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Eke Effiong Nta, Calabar, Cross River State, between 16th and 20th July 2025, the Bishop lamented the “death” of Nigeria’s laws, institutions, and leadership, noting that the country is being driven closer to total collapse.
“The Nigerian nation is, in simple words, dead! We use this word deliberately because there is no other way to describe where we are now,” Bishop Egbe declared.
“The laws are not working, leadership is insulated from reality, institutions have been hijacked, and ordinary Nigerians have no food or freedom of movement.”
He added that all sectors of national life have been overtaken by what he termed a “scourge of death”, noting that the country has long been living a lie.
Despite this grim assessment, the cleric expressed hope that through collective repentance and action, the nation could still be resurrected. “We still believe that the resurrection and life, even our Lord Jesus Christ, can and will give life back to us as a nation,” he said.
To this end, he outlined a series of eleven recommendations to restore the country’s lost glory, which include:
1. Abolishing the current constitution and replacing it with a “proper, national and true one”.
2. Ending preferential treatment for any religion or tribe to ensure equality and national security.
3. Reinventing Nigeria’s value system and killing the “get rich quick” culture.
4. Establishing true federalism that allows federating units to control their resources.
5. Promoting truth and honesty across all levels of society.
6. Overhauling the judiciary to restore justice and public confidence.
7. Adopting a less costly and more effective system of governance.
8. Ensuring the independence of INEC by removing political influence in its leadership.
9. De-emphasising ethnic origin in favour of residency to promote national unity.
10. Prioritising merit in public recruitment, especially in the economy and security sectors.
11. Strengthening the country’s borders to prevent infiltration by criminals.
“These are not exhaustive, but they provide a strong starting point for the process of national rebirth,” Bishop Egbe emphasised.
He further warned that continued neglect of these issues would deepen Nigeria’s descent into chaos, asserting, “Restoration of justice is the first major step towards recovering Nigeria. This is an emergency!”
Diocesan Milestones
The Bishop also took time to highlight the Diocese’s progress over the past year, attributing its achievements to divine assistance. “We can truly confess that we have come this far because the Lord helped us,” he said.
On education, he noted the appointment of an Education Secretary, improvements in the management of diocesan schools, training support for pastors, and the establishment of a scholarship scheme for indigent members.
In the area of investments, the Diocese has launched initiatives to reduce overdependence on offerings. These include the ongoing development of a Diocesan Printing Press and encouraging agricultural ventures to boost food production.
The Diocese has also deepened its rural evangelism, expanding its presence in underserved communities. “Our church is gaining greater acceptance among our rural communities and becoming more visible,” the Bishop noted.
Through platforms such as NAWADA/ACADI, the Diocese has actively tackled issues like gender-based violence, drug abuse, and community health. In addition, it has engaged in community outreach by sponsoring scholarships, providing boreholes, empowering individuals, building a home for a widow, and repairing storm-damaged houses for the elderly.
“These acts, though often done quietly, reflect our commitment to serve both God and humanity,” the Bishop said.
As the Synod continues, Rt. Rev. Prof. Egbe called on Nigerians to embrace honesty, patriotism, and accountability, concluding, “We daresay, that a new Nigeria is indeed possible, and will be a reality if we are honest enough to drive the rebirth. May God help our nation.”
