The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev Gabriel Abegunrin has called on the Federal Government and state governors to do all within their powers to improve the economic and security challenges confronting the country.
Abegunrin claimed that most interventions of government to cushion the hardship many Nigerians are being confronted with are on paper, adding that, “We often hear of palliatives being distributed but never see them.”
The cleric who disclosed this while addressing journalists on the state of the nation in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, said no nation thrives in the midst of instability and economic hardship as currently being witnessed in the country.
The media parley is to examine the many problems facing the nation from economy to security, education, palliatives, jobs creation amongst others.
The cleric said the economy is at its lowest ebb as he called on President Bola Tinubu and all state governors to find lasting solutions to them urgently.
The cleric who condemned the way and manner of sharing palliatives in the country advised government to improve the security challenges in the country as no nation can thrive in an unfriendly atmosphere.
He said, “The Church and the state are partners in the promotion of Common Good and the uplift of people in the Society. There is no gainsaying the fact that Government has at her disposal various apparatus to ensure the flourishing of human life, especially security and social welfare. Bearing in mind the economic hardship being faced by our people, we call upon the Government to rise to the occasion. We often hear of palliatives being distributed but never see them. We hope that social welfare package should be extended to all citizens of the State. We would also like to see funds allocated for the good of the people to be used for the purpose and not the endless accusations and counter accusation that our political leaders continue to engage in, in the hallowed chamber.
“In this regard, I must also talk about the linking of BVN and NIN. While the government may be well intentioned, the implementation has caused much distress and anxiety. After the cashless policy and scarcity of Naira in 2023, the banking sector must not be seen again as causing pain and stress to citizens who want to have easy access to their money. Government should therefore ensure that the exercise be allowed to go on for as long as possible and easy infrastructure put in place for citizens to be able to do the linking with the minimum of stress.”
The religious leader identified creation of job opportunities for youths as one of the ways to tackle insecurity, stressing that, “economic hardship often leads some to deviant behaviours, many communities have resorted to policing their communities especially at night. The Government is called upon to ensure that the various security outfits in the state provide adequate security for all and sundry. If this is lacking, individuals will resort to jungle justice, as we have been witnessing in recent times; this can affect the peaceful coexistence of people in the State. We commend the government of the state on the Construction and repairs of many roads in the State. These make movement of people easier, but the state has been experiencing poor power supply for far too long. Normal life is grounded, and many businesses have been grossly affected because of this. The state must look into alternative power generation and supply, or whatever will improve the life of the people of the state.”
Lamenting worsening rate of unemployment and mass exodus of Nigerians abroad, Abegunrin stated, “We are also concerned that the lack of job and harsh economic reality continue to drive many of our young ones to seek greener pasture. This phenomenon known as the “Japa Syndrome” may provide some economic benefits, but in the long run, it depopulates our society because our brightest minds are allowed to go away to develop other lands. Hence, we call on Government at all levels to put in place effective machinery that will provide opportunities for our youths and young adults to be gainfully employed. An enabling climate will also encourage the private sector to engage in the employment of many young people, the government has a lot to do in this regard and must not fail us.”
The cleric also called on government to return schools to missionaries as a way of improving primary and secondary education in the country.
“We once again reiterate the position of the Catholic Church on the value of quality education. Because the Catholic believes in wholistic education, she established many schools in the past that shaped the life of many national and state leaders in the 70s, 80s and 90s. The time has come for these schools to be returned. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Church can do much more with less. Results from many Catholic Schools throughout the nation lend credence to this. With her tract record of academic excellence and wholistic education and formation of young people, the State stands to gain if and when Schools are returned to their original owners,” he said.
The cleric who decried the economic hardship and insecurity around schools in the country also advised the federal government to improve the deplorable state of power in the country.
Nonetheless, the Archbishop called on Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the fasting periods to pray for the wellness of the country.
