From Adewale Momoh, Akure
• Says new minimum wage will not solve economic crisis
• Wants FG to enforce price control of commodities
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, Ondo State, Rt. Revd. Stephen Fagbemi, at the weekend, urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently find a solution to the acute suffering facing Nigerians.
He said that people are currently battling with pain and frustration owing to the economic hardship, adding that the new minimum wage would not address the country’s economic situation.
The Anglican Bishop, who gave the advice in his address during the third session of the 14th Synod of the church held at St. Stephen Church, Ipele in Owo Local Council of the state with the theme, “Walking in the Light of His Word: Recipe for Spiritual Growth,” noted that the effects of the current economic hardship are disheartening.
According to him, the country may witness an uncontrollable rise in crime, and that the situation may threaten the extinction of the middle class.
Fagbemi, therefore, called on the Federal Government to embark on price control to ensure stability and control inflation.
He said: “Nigeria has become a harder place to live in, as evident in the fact that many people are leaving the country for greener pastures while many are finding themselves in difficult situations where they fled.
“Nigeria and its people have encountered acute economic hardship within the past one year owing to the sudden removal of petroleum subsidies and the devaluation and instability of the foreign exchange.”
“The resultant effects of these actions are the harsh economic reality that Nigerians are facing on a daily basis. Inflation is almost out of control, and the prices of goods and commodities have risen astronomically.”
He urged the Federal Government to step up its commitment to adequately address the growing hunger in the land through provision of incentives and employment as well as embark on policies that would ameliorate the plight of the people.
Meanwhile, the cleric, who, however, charged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to revisit the issue of local council development areas (LCDAs) nullified by the state high court, described the development as unfortunate.
The Bishop noted that the creation of the LCDAs would help to bring governance closer to the people at the grassroots.
In his message to the synod, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, while congratulating the Diocese for a successful event and urging them to be steadfast in their spiritual and religious journey, lauded Fagbemi for his exemplary leadership, not only in the spiritual sphere, but also in the national arena.
