The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement economic policies that will turn the living standards of Nigeria for better.
While recalling past incidences, the Archbishop linked recent stampedes in Oyo, Anambra states and Abuja to hunger.
In his message to Christians on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration, Archbishop Ndagoso said currect government’s policies are making lives unbearable for so many Nigerians.
He said, “The hunger and poverty in the land is better imagined. Even at harvest time the prices of essential food items have not changed for the better. Little wonder then that wherever people hear of palliative distribution, huge numbers gather to get whatever they can, leading to the tragic experiences we have had in recent times.
“Laws and policies are created to help people. Nigerians are constantly told that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that we need to suffer now before we can get there. What if we all die? And many Nigerians have died and we all know it. There is hopelessness in the land. People see no reason to live, they have lost hope in themselves, in their country and even in God.”
“There is no where in any country that things are not subsidized. In advanced societes things are organized that nobody is cheated. The President told us that he doesn’t believe in price control, it is the duty of the government to organize the society, that is why government exist. Ordinary people are being shortchanged, government has a duty to come in and see how to organize things and make it better for the people.
“We are human beings and we make mistakes, a policy we thought will be for the common good, if it’s not working, I don’t see reason why it cannot be adjusted. We hope that the President will rethink.
“The situation in the country today with insecurity, high cost of living and transportation caused by the hurried and unplanned removal of fuel subsidy and the free floating of the naira has caused serious existential challenge to most Nigerians resulting to hopelessness and loss of trust among the citizenry never experienced before in the history of Nigeria.
“There is hopelessness everywhere in the land. Given the hardship in the land, we plead with governments at all levels, especially, at the federal level to do whatever it takes by way of policy change or redirection to cushion the effects of the policies that brought us to where are,” he said.
The Archbishop therefore called on president to wake-up and address the economic challenges in the country, adding that Nigeria have enough resources to go round with proper management.
The faith leader also encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope despite the hardship, but rather show love to one another in this season of Christmas.
“Christmas is therefore a feast of hope because, as Pope Francis has said, notwithstanding the dark aspects of our lives, God’s light shines out. His gentle light does not make us fear because God who is love draws us to himself with his tenderness, born poor and fragile among us, as one of us,” he said.
He advised farmers to be prudent and careful in the use of their farm produce this festive period.
“It is therefore pertinent to remind our farmers of the need to be careful and prudent in the use of farm produce. As already noted, the season is a festive one that calls for celebration. The usual temptation this time of the year is to sell farm produce at giveaway prices to celebrate. As always, we caution our farmers especially in the rural areas to be careful in the management of their farm produce, mindful of the fact that, though all we possess is for the common good, we know also that charity begins at home,” he said.