Get Guardian on Google
The Bishop of the Diocese of Ife, Rt Rev. Olubunmi Akinlade, has said with unemployment rate of more than 30 per cent and inflation rate of 15.7 per cent, an average Nigerian is struggling to live in a country endowed with limitless natural resources, calling on the youths to change the status quo.
Speaking, yesterday, while delivering his presidential address at the Diocese of Ife, Church of Nigeria’s (Anglican Communion) 2nd Session of the 11th Synod, 2022 with the theme: “The Grace Of Giving” at the Cathedral Church of St. Phillip, Ayetoro, Ile-Ife, Osun State, he said: “The reality in the country today is one of pain, hardship, deprivation, political instability, crimes and criminality among others. Poverty and other societal factors have encouraged crime and criminality to the point that travelling from one place to another poses a significant risk owing to robberies, kidnapping and bad roads.
“Despite surviving COVID-19, many Nigerians are still grappling with poor health indices due to stress and frustrations. Nigeria has the biggest number of out-of-school children in the world with the figure rising beyond 10 million,” he said
He called on the youth to stop diverting their God-given talent and energy to committing crimes. He noted that with high unemployment, it is natural that temptation to do anything to survive without minding whose ox is gored would manifest. He, however, reminded the youths that many are in the same position they found themselves without taking to crimes, because they cherish their integrity.
He called on Nigerians to get their voters card to vote for credible candidates that will turn around the country’s unpalatable situation.
[ad]
