The Federal Government came under severe knock by notable clerics across the country on Saturday, as there were strident calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to act urgently and deliver the masses of the country from ravaging poverty, killing and possible disintegration of the nation.
There have been complaints of widespread hardship and unbridled loss of lives and properties to insurgents, armed bandits and herders as well as kidnappers and other criminals in recent rimes.
Thus, no fewer than three notable clerics from different parts of the country seized the occasion of various religious programmes held at the weekend to speak on the state of the nation, passinga damning verdict on the Federal Government.
Masses’ excruciating poverty, elite’s ostentatious life
The Bishop of All Saints Methodist Church, Nyanya, Abuja, Right Reverend Jacob Oluwatoyin Kehinde Adeyemi, in an admonition contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the ninth annual synod of the diocese, told President Buhari to take cognizance of the excruciating poverty among the masses in the face of the ostentatious lives of the elite.
Commenting on the state of the nation at the end of the synod with the theme: “Obedience to God Better than Sacrifice,” the synod urged President Bulhari to show more compassion to the poor, noting that “the gulf between the rich and the poor is alarming, with wider implications for the security of the country.”
The synod further called on the government to consider giving financial bailout to ailing manufacturing companies in the country, as it noted that such gesture would go a long way in stimulating industrialisation and mitigating the unemployment rate in the country.
The communiqué, signed by Reverend Adeyemi, read in part: “The synod identified the escalating insecurity in the country as very worrisome and admonished the government to demonstrate commitment and strategic actions to assure the citizenry that the government has their interest at heart. The synod reminded the leadership of this country that peace can facilitate economic and stable growth.
“The synod called on the President to show compassion and empathy for the abject conditions of the citizenry. The synod observed that the widening gulf between the rich and the poor does not speak well for the future of this great nation.
“The synod admonished government to consider bailing out our manufacturing companies to aid industrialisation. This will yield positive results, as it will reduce violent crimes and other forms of criminality and further engage the teeming youths profitably.”
The church, however, acknowledged the efforts of the government at addressing the infrastructure decay in the nation.
“The synod observed and appreciated the giant strides being taken by the Federal government in improving infrastructure in the country, especially in the roads and rail sectors.
“The synod admonished Christians to be patient with God to demonstrate that we are invincible as He (God) continues to defend us with His power.
“The Synod admonished Christians to be obedient to God’s word because obedience is better than sacrifice and that the biblical obedience to God means to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God and His word.
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