Group urges faith leaders to improve wellbeing, health of congregants

Nigeria Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+) has tasked faith leaders to not only improve spiritual wellbeing but also the health and general wellbeing of their congregants.

Ms Amber Erinmwhinhe, Executive Secretary of the the group, made the call at the consultation on COVID-19, HIV Stigma and Gender justice with faith leaders in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Ikenna Nwakamma, Programme Manager of NINERELA+.

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Erinmwhinhe challenged the Religious leaders to strive more to meet not only the spiritual needs of their congregants but also their general wellbeing.

She pointed out that the COVID-19, HIV and gender-based violence were major threats to the well-being of their flocks and they could not afford to be passive in the fight against those problems

Nwakamma affirmed the critical role of faith leaders in mitigating social injustice and improving heath globally.

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He said that there were huge opportunities in Nigeria for faith leaders in ensuring that every member of the community received the best services and protection of the government.

He urged the faith leaders to see themselves as active partners in the fight against health challenges as HIV, COVID-19 and gender injustice.

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Responding, Rev. Emmanuel Onoja, a faith leader, assured of the commitment of faith leaders as partners in the fight against heath challenges and gender injustice.

Onoja explained that they would no longer restrict their duties on the pulpit but extend them to the social frontiers to help amplify advocacies for improved health and social equality.