The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has called for deeper collaboration between the Church and the State in driving Nigeria’s transformation and human development. He made the call while delivering his address as Chairman of the Opening Ceremony of the Second Plenary Session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), held in Obot Akara.
In his remarks, the Senate President stressed that no government can succeed without the moral and spiritual foundation nurtured by the Church. Quoting the Psalmist, he said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” while noting that pulpit and parliament, altar and assembly, should be seen as partners in progress rather than rivals.
Akpabio praised the Catholic Bishops for providing a platform that bring faith and governance into dialogue, described the partnership as symbolic and instructive. “In the building of nations, conscience must never be silenced and government must never be deaf to wisdom from the altar,” he added.
Citing historical and contemporary examples, the Senate President highlighted how the Church has played critical roles in times of tyranny and social upheaval. He recalled the interventions of leaders such as Cardinal Anthony Okogie and Archbishop Gabriel Ganaka, noted that the Nigerian Church has always been the conscience of society in moments of trial.
He further commended the Catholic tradition of social teaching, which placed human dignity, justice, and the common good at the centre of development, stressing that such values should guide policies in education, healthcare, human rights, and youth empowerment.
On the work of the 10th Senate, he assured the Bishops that the legislature has continued to act with conscience, citing the Student Loan Act, the new minimum wage, and decisions that prioritised peace and the welfare of citizens.
While acknowledging the challenges facing Nigeria, he urged patience and collective effort in rebuilding the nation, likening it to the construction of a cathedral “stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand.”
The Senate President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to work with faith-based institutions, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and youth development, concluding with a call for renewed hope and unity between Church and State for the progress of Nigeria.
