- Archbishop Kawas urged dialogue over strikes, emphasizing the CBCN’s concern about economic hardships and inflationary impacts
- The CBCN conferred Meritorious Service Awards during their conference, fostering collaboration with the federal government under President Tinubu
The Synods of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by Archbishop Leonard Kawas, have intervened in the ongoing crisis between the Federal Government and Organised Labour regarding minimum wage and high electricity tariffs. Following their conference in Abuja, Archbishop Kawas, the President General of CBCN, issued a statement in Kaduna on Tuesday urging both parties to refrain from escalation and prioritize negotiation overstrikes.
The CBCN called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to continue engaging in dialogue with the federal government, emphasizing the potential adverse effects of strikes on inflation and economic hardship. They appealed to the government to show understanding of the current economic conditions while urging restraint from both sides in escalating the situation.
The statement also highlighted the conferment of Meritorious Service Awards to prominent figures such as Nigeria’s First Lady, the wife of the Vice President, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and others during the conference. These awards aimed to recognise their contributions and foster closer collaboration between the CBCN and the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Additionally, Archbishop Kawas was elevated to the title of President General from National President during the conference, marking the 10th anniversary of the Synod with participation from Nigerians across 21 countries. The Synod resolved to amend the title to recognise Archbishop Kawas’s leadership and contributions to the CBCN.
“On the third day of the conference, a grand finale of the Charismatic Bishops synods held at the National Christian Centre, and workshop and training continued, and the grand finale of the event was the welcoming of the representative of the wife of Mr President, wife of the Vice President, Chief of Defence Staff, Senate President and Inspector General of Police who received meritorious service award of the charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
“The awards were meant to encourage them for their work and to publicly signal a new dawn of partnership for progress between the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the federal government of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Awardees thanked the President of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for finding them worthy of the award, and the conference came to a close after a visit to the Secretary to the government of the federation who also received the award in his office from the Charismatic Bishops for partnership for progress.
“The SGF, George Akume called on the charismatic Bishops to continue to pray for the country, the government and that the government meant well for the people, and there are alot of good plans for the country.
Part of the conference’s activities included elevating Archbishop Kawas to the title of President General from the National President of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
“With the fact that the Synod is celebrating its 10th anniversary, which witnessed the participation of Nigerians from 21 countries, which has never happened before, the Synod resolved to amend the title of their President from National President to President General.
“So Archbishop Kawas was unanimous, after a motion moved and seconded, received the approval of the house of the Synod to go by the title of President General.”