By Chukwuemeka Umesi
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The Bishop of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Owo Diocese, Stephen Fagbemi, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. In a charge delivered during the third session of the 14th Synod of the Church, Bishop
Fagbemi decried the rise in inflation and the harsh economic reality faced by Nigerians, stressing that the country has become a harder place to live.The cleric highlighted the devastating effects of the current economic hardship, including the sudden removal of petroleum subsidies and the devaluation and instability of the foreign exchange.
He noted that these factors have led to an uncontrollable rise in crime, as many people are forced to flee the country in search of better living conditions.Bishop Fagbemi urged the Federal Government to step up its commitment to addressing the growing hunger in the land by providing incentives, employment opportunities, and policies that ameliorate the plight of the people.
He also emphasised the need for the government to diversify the economy, as unemployment rates continue to soar.Furthermore, the bishop called on the state governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to revisit the issue of the controversial Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) which had been cancelled by the state High Court. He described the development as unfortunate and stressed that the creation of LCDAs
would bring governance closer to the people at the grassroots.In addition to Bishop Fagbemi’s appeal, experts have also weighed in on the matter. According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s inflation rate has risen to an all-time high of 22.8%. The report also noted that the country’s unemployment rate stands at 33.3%, with youth unemployment at a staggering
42.5%.As the situation continues to deteriorate, Nigerians are calling on the government to take immediate action to address the economic and security challenges facing the country. The appeal by Bishop Fagbemi serves as a reminder that the government must prioritise the welfare of its citizens and take concrete steps to ensure that the country is a better place for all.