Cleric urges Tinubu to address economic hardship

Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Dr Williams Aladekugbe, has called on the Federal Government to review its policies to address the prevailing economic hardship among Nigerians.

He gave the charge while delivering the first Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, at the weekend.

In the lecture titled: ‘The faith once delivered to the saints in the context of contemporary socio-economic challenges’, the cleric recalled that in the past, people had demonstrated against unfriendly economic policies that brought hardship and poverty.

He said: “It is not different today as groups of people have demonstrated from time to time to show their annoyance at the present economic policy of the government. Till now, people are taking to the streets to demonstrate, hoping that perhaps the government will change her policy.

“This time around, the series of demonstrations have failed, as the high cost of all things in the market persists. It is imperative for the government to end hunger and hardship.”

The cleric recalled that several groups, associations, clubs, traditional rulers, clerics and the general populace had been groaning under the economic policy of the present regime, saying: “There is no point hiding the fact that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry and angry. The hardship, insecurity, poverty and unemployment in the country are such that no one can pacify anybody.

“The socio-economic reforms of the Federal Government have inflicted unparalleled hardship on Nigerians. The soaring cost of food has escalated the suffering of Nigerians and crime has greatly increased.”

He noted that the present economic hardship, resulting from the removal of fuel subsidy, was also having its effects on Christians in Nigeria. He noted that many families could no longer attend church services, and that some of those who managed to attend services had no money for offerings and other contributions in the Church.

He said: “Clergy and ministers of God have more to do at a time like this to save people from depression, loss of hope and probably suicide. Lectures, sermons and teachings should be intensified to keep the faith of the Christians alive so that they can triumph over the current economic hardship which he said would be for a short period.”