Anglican bishop asks Tinubu to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges

The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Jebba, Oluwaseun Aderogba, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take urgent steps to deal with Nigeria’s economic challenges.

According to a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, Aderogba made the demand while delivering his presidential address at the third session of the Sixth Synod of the diocese.

The event with the theme “When God looks for a man” was held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter’s, Jebba, Kwara State, on July 27.

Aderogba, who noted that Tinubu is making some efforts, stated that the effort is not enough.

“We desire a cure. Nigeria’s problem is like an epidemic spreading from a particular region of the country to other parts of the nation,” he said.

The bishop stated that the virus that has eaten deep into Nigeria should be handled with clinical precision so that it would not consume the entire nation.

He charged Tinubu to work towards the eradication of insecurity, banditry, and terrorism that have taken centre stage in the country.

According to him, many farmers are now afraid of going to the farm.

“The cassava sticks which used to be free are now being sold. Farmers don’t even want to plant any crops that will be eaten by cows that are invading farms,” he added.

The Anglican bishop said insecurity is the enemy of development, adding that no meaningful progress can be made in the nation if there is no security.

Aderogba pleaded with Tinubu to also find a lasting solution to the problem of hunger and poverty in the country.

He lamented the high cost of living and the prevalent poverty in the country.

Beyond solving the problem of poverty, Aderogba said Tinubu should be bold enough to confront the constitutional challenges facing the country.

He urged the president to begin the process of restructuring and the amendment of the constitution to reflect true federalism while noting that “there is no region that can’t be self-sufficient in this country”

Aderogba also urged the president to pay attention to the plight of the civil servants and ensure that the promised minimum wage is a reality for a start while more steps are taken to make life better for Nigerians.

The Anglican bishop also called on the President to ensure effective healthcare services, a purpose-driven and well-equipped educational system in the country.

He called on the government to look into the high cost of petroleum products as many of the economic crises in the country are tied to it.

He decried the humongous allowances given to lawmakers stating some government officials have turned public funds into national cake.

Aderogba also called the attention of the governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, to the state of infrastructure in the state.

He urged the governor to ensure the employment of more Christian teachers in secondary and primary schools to teach Christian religion.

On the theme of the synod, he said, “Every man made by God is God’s servant. We should not identify only as servants but as faithful servants we should be humble, devoted and helpful.

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the ministries of God. Moreover, it is required of a steward that be found trustworthy.

He assured all that God will not use and dump anybody “it is rather the other way around. God does not abandon a person, but you can abandon God and walk away from him. Adam and Eve walked away from God, Jonah, Saul, the young prophet of Judah.”