Lagos CAN, Ondo bishop task FG on petrol, Naira crises

Scarcity poses serious health challenges to Nigerians, dons warn
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State chapter, has charged the Federal Government to urgently address the lingering fuel scarcity and solve the challenges Nigerians are facing trying to access the new Naira bills.

The Chairman, Rt. Revd. Stephen Adegbite, stated this yesterday at a briefing in Lagos to herald the 2023 Inter-Denomination Divine Service (IDDS) with the theme, ‘Peace Be Still’, slated for Saturday, February 11, at LAWNA Territory Headquarters, Olorunda, Ketu.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is the Special Guest of Honour, while the Prelate, Motailatu Church, Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S), Israel Akinadewo, is the Guest Preacher.

Adegbite attributed the fuel and Naira scarcity to sabotage, saying for the eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, fuel scarcity was hardly an issue, but just raised its ugly head as election towards the end of his administration.

He urged government to urgently address the issue, saying money is needed for the election and that the question of shifting the date of election must not arise.

His words: “How will anybody say there will be no money during election? It is not possible. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needs money and fuel. Already, they are raising questions that the way things are going, it is going to be difficult for them to move during election. Are we saying we want to postpone the general election? Nigerians will say no to that.”

IN the same vein, the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Simeon Borokini, described the seven-day request by President Buhari to tackle the fuel and currency crises in the country as a wrong move.

Borokini, who disclosed that Nigerians ought to have been seeing changes since the beginning of the seven-day timeframe, stressed that the situation in the country required urgent measures.

The Archbishop stated this during a briefing to herald the 40th Consecration and 10th Inauguration anniversaries of the Anglican Diocese of Akure.

According to him, the President must erase the doubt of the people over the insinuation that the crises were attempts to disrupt the polls, particularly that the international community is monitoring the situation.

Borokini further stressed that for the economy not to be paralysed, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor should endeavour to extend the policy for at least a year, with the new and old bills coexisting.

MEANWHILE, former Vice Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, and a Professor of Psychiatry and Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Olayinka Omigbodun, have warned that the current scarcity of fuel and Naira has serious implications on the health of Nigerians, calling on the government to restore orderliness.

The two medical professors gave the warning while speaking at the 70th birthday and retirement programme of Prof. Rasheed Bakare at Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, College of Medicine, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Bakare is a professor of Laboratory Medicine while Tomori is a virologist.

Former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Prof. Babatude Salako;  Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale (represented by Prof. Tunde Bakare); Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Jesse Otagbayo (represented by Abiodun Adeoye), at the event, described the celebrant as a seasoned teacher, iconic leader, astute administrator, great fighter, unique personality and others.

Tomori, who was the chairman of the occasion, said scarcity of naira and fuel created pressure and tension, which are not good for health.