THE Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo and the Bishop of the Diocese of Ife, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun admonished government at all levels to go the extra mile to reduce unemployment, fight corruption, provide adequate infrastructure and tackle insecurity so that the nation can experience real change.

Ademowo said: “This past year, our country weathered through all kinds of storms, including wanton destruction of lives and properties, economic depression, inconclusive elections, kidnapping, rise in crime due to the increasing rate of unemployment and insurgency. God is always on our side and there is light at the end of tunnel if we all rise to do what is right and proper as a people and as a nation.

“The alarming state of insecurity in our Nation is worrisome. The Federal Government needs to do something urgently to arrest this horrible situation. Many of our youths are jobless, and this is very unfortunate. The plan of the Federal Government to give some amount of money as allowances to the unemployed is a welcome development, but a should be incorporated into the budget for 2016 appropriation bill to give it a legal backing.

“No doubt, it is a tough time to be upbeat about corruption at all levels in our national life. When the senses are assailed by the mind-bogging figures of amount allegedly stolen through all kinds of schemes, the first reaction is disbelief and hope that another country not yours, is the subject of discussion. When your incredulity is confronted with the evidence of graft at all levels on an unimaginable scale and you see poverty walking around you in all the four corners of Nigeria, any upwardly journey of the spirit must of necessity take a downward turn.

“The challenge before the leadership is to avoid a failure to rescue. Certainly these times call for unusual courage and boldness. Nigeria is like a patient in the theatre for a life-saving surgery.”

Odubogun expects the government to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians by providing basic social infrastructure, including rehabilitation of bad roads and provision of constant electricity supply.

The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-West, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, expects the leadership in Nigeria to make integrity their watchword. He looks forward to seeing leaders that will do unto others what they will want others to do unto them, leaders who will bring about the changes Nigerians have been clamouring for.

The Bishop, Diocese of Isiala Ngwa South, Rt. Rev. Isaac Nwaobia, said Nigerians should be hopeful, expecting the government to ensure improved exchange rate and provide incentives to cushion the effects of the fall oil price at the international market.