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In order to address the current economic challenges facing Nigerians, the Bishop, Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Rt Reverend Williams Aladekugbe, has called on government at all levels to think of what is workable and practicable in the new year instead of giving palliatives to the people.
Bishop Aladekugbe stated this in his New Year message, delivered on Sunday.
Aside from the palliatives not going round the populace, he noted that many politicians, whom he described as unscrupulous, also use the opportunity to enrich themselves.
He charged all Nigerians to pursue righteousness, Godliness, love, endurance, gentleness, and fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life.
The cleric implored the government to invest more in the local government than federal government, saying, this way, people will feel the effect of having a government rather than chaos in most parts of the country.
He further urged the government to ensure no religion or tradition would be allowed to take precedence over the Constitution, warning that unless this happens, the nation would not be united.
“We appeal to government at all levels to make life meaningful and livable for the citizens. No doubt, the citizens are hungry and angry, cost of living is astronomically high and unbearable.
“We implore the government to invest more into local government interests than federal government issues. This way, people can feel the effect of having a government rather than chaos being experienced in most parts of the country.
“We also plead that no religion or tradition should take precedence over the constitution in every part of the country. Unless this happens, we are obviously not one people.
“The rate at which Nigerian Naira continues to tumble leaves much to be desired. The government is enjoined to do something serious about it. The skyrocketing prices of food items are undesirable.
“That a bag of rice will ever be as high as N60,000 in Nigeria is unthinkable when minimum wage is put at N30,000. The government should think of what is workable and practicable as against the palliatives it gives, which does not go round or which some unscrupulous politicians use in enriching themselves.
“Citizens generally do not feel safe in the country, and that is why they decide to relocate to countries they think have better security services. Due to the high rate of crime and insecurity in Nigeria, the country ranks low on the 2023 Global Peace Index, at the 144th position out of 163 countries.
While appealing to citizens, Bishop Aladekugbe, who recalled all the major challenges that rocked the country in 2023, said that Nigerians, particularly the Church must make a difference in 2024.
“We remain deeply grateful to God for seeing us through year 2023 with all its ups and downs. It was for God’s mercy that we were not consumed in the year.
“A lot of things happened in the year 2023, beginning with pre-election challenges which included Naira redesign, unavailability of cash, fuel scarcity, elections, change of government, the withdrawal of fuel subsidy which brought untold hardship on the people even till date. In all of these, God saw us through, Alleluia!.
“Beloved of God, as we begin the new year, we implore everyone to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. We must fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life.
“As members of the Church, we know that we now live in a country where fleeing from corruption and evil ways do not mean much again. We should make a difference as Christians. As Christians, if we keep the faith and have no hand in the ills and plagues that is bedevilling our country, I am sure others will have a re-think.
“While thanking God for the dawn of a new year, we pray that the new year will bring joy, peace, security, and fulfillment to all and sundry. Happy new year to us all,” the Bishop added.