Nigeria Newspapers Online

.Lauds Fed Govt on student loans, Lagos-Calabar highway, others

Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, has expressed worries over rising cases of kidnapping, abduction and other challenges in the country.

The worries were contained in a communiqué the diocese issued, on Wednesday, at the end of its 30th Synod, with the theme, “Arise and Build,” held at Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, from April 26-28, 2024, under the leadership of the Archbishop and Bishop of Lagos Mainland, the Most Rev. (Dr) Obafemi Bamidele Adeleye and the Diocesan Lay President, Sir Olusola Adu.

The church, while acknowledging the sacrifices the military and police forces had been making to tackle crimes in the country, expressed concern over recent escalation in kidnappings, student abductions, activities of gunmen, and the prevailing general insecurity across the nation.

It expressed concern over the removal of fuel subsidies amid economic challenges, and called for a swift transition from temporary relief measures to creating a conducive business environment,

It stressed the importance of transparent management to safeguard the economy and stabilise the forex market.

While acknowledging the proposal to set the minimum university entry age at 18, the diocese advised the government to focus on student quality and readiness rather than rigid age restrictions.

It also called for expedited infrastructural development and commended efforts to revive projects like the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar and the Badagry-Sokoto Expressway.

The Synod emphasised the importance of the Fourth Mainland Bridge project and the need for sustainable power supply to support business activities, especially SMEs and MSMEs.

It, however, called for a new minimum wage that would reflect the rising cost of living essential for promoting workers’ welfare and easing financial burdens on families.

The Synod, while commending Lagos State Governor, BabajideSanwo-Olu and his administration for development in the state, particularly the Red and Blue Light Rail lines, emphasised the need to sustain the development.

It underscored the importance of prioritising solid minerals and agriculture to create employment opportunities, enhance food security, and boost the nation’s GDP.