…urges Nigerians to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness
By Adeyinka Adeniran
As a way of addressing the current economic challenges facing the people, 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 as against the palliatives it gives.
Noting that, aside from such palliatives not going round the populace, he said many politicians whom he described as unscrupulous also use the means to enriching themselves.
This is as he charges all Nigerians to pursue righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness, love, endurance and gentleness and fight the good fight of faith to take hold of eternal life.
Bishop Aladekugbe made the calls in his New year message delivered on Sunday.
Speaking, the cleric implore the government to invest more into local government interests than federal government issues, saying, this way, people can fell the effect of having a government rather than chaos in most parts of community living.
The Diocesan further urged the government to ensure that in the new year, no religion or tradition should be allowed to take precedence over the constitution in every part of the country, warning that unless that happens, the nation would not be one people.
He said “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 fell the effect of having a government rather than chaos in most parts of community living.
“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 desire. 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 rates of crime and insecurity in Nigeria, the country ranks low on the 2023 Global Peace Index, at the 144th position out of 163 countries.
Appealing to the people, Bishop Aladekugbe who recalled all the major challenges that rocked the country in year 2023 noted that it may seem that fleeing from corruption and evils ways do not mean much again in the country, Nigerians and particularly the Church must make a difference in year 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 governments, 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 evils ways do not mean much again. We should make a difference as Christians. As Christians, if we keep the faith and have no hands in the ills and plagues that bedevil 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.
