By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A frontline governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 6, 2021 election in Anambra State, Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, on Sunday called for increased synergy between the church and the state.

She made the call during a chat with journalists at the thanksgiving service of the third session of the 31st synod of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Eziowelle, Anambra State.

Onyemelukwe said that if elected the next governor of the state, her government will continue and institutionalise the periodic subventions to faith-based and other qualifying private education and healthcare service providers.

She explained that such policies help in the provision of affordable, quality education and healthcare service delivery to the masses.

“The Constitution calls for a separation of the church and the state. It does not prevent both entities from working together to address critical needs of the society, especially in the areas of education, health care, social welfare and value re-orientation.

“The high cost of living has made it even more needful for the society to show a duty of care to the needy, poor and the vulnerable.

“Faith-based institutions, through years of intervention, has vital database and grassroots reach the state can leverage on to run targeted welfare schemes,” Onyemelukwe noted.

Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Speaker, The Rt. Rev Stephen Akobe, Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Kabba, harped on the need for people to be doers of the word of God, and not hearers only.

He hailed the President of the Synod and the Bishop, Anglican Diocese on the Niger, Rt. Revd Dr Owen Nwokolo, for his leadership.

The Bishop also prayed God to grant Ekwueme’s daughter her heart desire of restoring Anambra on the right path to progress.