Rhema Christian Church tasks govt on economy, holds convention
Taiwo Akinola
The Presiding Bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers, Taiwo Akinola, has called on the Federal Government to save the economy and Nigerians from the pangs of hunger, adding that the current exchange rate of about N800 to a dollar and the scarcity of foreign exchange for manufacturers to import raw materials and machines are certainly impacting adversely.
He noted that these have made the costs of essential items including food, drugs, spare parts, automobiles, among others to continue to rise, thereby undermining of the purchasing powers of Nigerians.
Speaking at the 31st Rhema World press conference organised to usher in the Rhema World Convention 2022 at the Champion Peace Cathedral, Temidire, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, Bishop Akinola noted that the increasing inflation current experienced in the country has pushed many Nigerians to now live below the poverty line.
He observed that the recently released cost of living statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which puts the nation’s inflation rate at 20.8 per cent, the highest in 17 years, does not speak well for the nation’s economy and enjoined government to coming up with some measures to ameliorate the sufferings and hardships Nigerians are currently passing through.
Commiserating with the victims of the recent flood that ravaged 33 states in the country, the Bishop said that while the causes of the floods remain controversial, the reality of the multi-billion Naira property destroyed, human and animals washed away, offices, farms and shops destroyed cannot be denied.
Commending the federal and state governments for rallying around the victims, the cleric called on the relevant ministries and agencies to design appropriate policies that will address the effects of climate change and also, for the nation to meet the 2050 UN declaration on global warming.
He said: “We also appeal to all Nigerians, in the interests of safety, to give attention to scientific predictions/warnings by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET); the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to avoid future loss of lives and property. We equally call on Nigerians to desist from building structures on natural water corridors.”
With, “The God That Answers By Fire” as the convention theme, Akinola disclosed that the theme was taken from 1Kings 18:24 and that God is going to use it to bring dramatic solutions to the nation’s challenges.
Holding at its headquarters in Sango, Ogun State, from November 6 to 13, the Bishop disclosed that Dr. Kunle Adesina, Bishop Jide Orire, Pastors Sina Olufade, Femi Gbenjo, Tunde Bolarinwa, Daniel Etebong Henshaw, Rotimi Somuyiwa, Tofunmi Opaleye, Deola Salako, among other apostolic ministers have been listed to minister at the event.
He noted that the convention will commence by 9am, on Sunday, November 6, with the anniversary lecture at the Church headquartres and, thereafter, the great opening ceremony at 5:00pm the same day.
