Following the prevailing socio-economic hardship in Nigeria, the Prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (Worldwide), Dr. David Dabaye Bob-Manuel, has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the crisis in the energy sector and other economic challenges as many Nigerians are being plunged into abject poverty on a daily basis.
The Prelate, who made the call at a world press conference to mark the church’s 99th anniversary, condemned the extravagant lifestyle of public office holders, despite the fact that millions of Nigerians are hungry and angry. He emphasised the need for the government to have a rethink and facilitate critical and realistic dialogue before the situation degenerates into total breakdown of law and order, and its attendant reign of anarchy, chaos and bloodletting.
“Given the astronomical prices of basic needs of citizens, especially the cost of feeding and transportation, vulnerable Nigerians have become miserable, even the civil servants are not insulated. I implore the federal and state governments to urgently implement social welfare schemes that would protect the vulnerable population from the impact of the high fuel prices.
“This may be in the form of provision of subsidies for essential goods and improved transportation system, fertilizers to farmers and monetary transfers to the aged and vulnerable, among other social incentives. I encourage the government to facilitate the repair of all the moribund refineries in Nigeria”
The cleric, who implored Christians to anchor their faith in God for sustenance in perilous times, maintained that if government failed to maximise the potential of young people by giving them the opportunity to thrive, they would become available tools in the hands of the enemy against the state.
“The economy of the country is grounded to a halt. An idle hand is the devil’s workshop. Once these chunks are moved out of poverty, it will drastically reduce bandits’ cells and vulnerable citizens. More so, the security architectures and agencies must be empowered to combat crimes and any form of insecurity.
“We need to curtail the rate of importation and refine our products: be it crude oil, cocoa and others, and export finished goods. This would promote job opportunities for the teeming youths and promote general developmental projects in the country.
To address this issue headlong, the youth should be provided jobs to do”
He urged the government to detach security issues from politics, deploy modern technologies to fight criminalities, build strong military and paramilitary institutions, increase police funding and boost their capacity through re-training, and share intelligence through collaboration in order to nip criminality in the bud.
“Many youths are now into internet fraud, armed robbery, kidnapping and all forms of social vices. The government should support modern farming practices and agro-businesses to generate employment in the rural areas; as well as improve the quality of education and vocational training programmes in order to equip the youths with the relevant skills for the job market.
“The government must promote the energy and manufacturing sectors, encourage innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship, which can create high-skilled job opportunities. The government can also review and reform the labour market regulations to make it easier for businesses to thrive and provide job security for workers.
“Support small and medium-sized enterprises through access to finance while training and infrastructure stimulate job creation and entrepreneurship. If all these suggestions are implemented, it will enhance productivity and reduce criminality to the barest minimum,” he assured.
However, President of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Chukwudumebi Okoh, implored government officials across all levels to desist from falsehood and begin to tell Nigerians the truth at all times.
He also advised church leaders, parents, teachers, guidance and counsellors as well as traditional leaders to muster the courage to speak the truth to everybody as the holy books admonished us, no matter whose ox is gored.
“Truth remains truth any day, any time. There is no old or new truth. Truth must be told. That is what will save us as a people. We must stop telling what is not true. There is no alternative to the truth and only truth will set us free,” he submitted.
