The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all political leaders across the country to give Nigerians enough reasons to smile in 2024.
According to the Archbishop, 2023, an election year with all its controversies, visited untold hardship on millions of Nigerians due to the prohibitive cost of most essential commodities.
The clergyman enjoined governments at all levels and across party lines to harness all available resources to fashion out policies that would help alleviate the suffering of the majority of Nigerians.
“The increase in the pump price of petroleum products and the drastic loss in the value of the naira, among other factors, have grossly affected the purchasing power of most Nigerians, who are finding it increasingly difficult to survive,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“This, alongside insecurity in the country, has pushed the best brains in the country to yield to the Japa syndrome. Those of us who remain are struggling to breathe, as they say. This is unacceptable.
“As we begin the year 2024, we call on government, at all levels, to focus on policies that would help to rejig the economy and bring solace to the impoverished masses. Government must listen to the cries of poor Nigerians,” he said.
The Archbishop noted that oftentimes, political expediency and patronage militate against even good policies.
“So, we expect that if President Tinubu wishes to write his name in gold, he must begin to employ all resources available, human and material, and not allow politics and political expediency to stand in the way of the common good and the welfare of the majority,” he advised.
According to him: “All that Nigerians are asking for are policies that would bring down the high cost of foodstuff, reduce transportation costs, and provide gainful employment for the jobless, especially the youth.”
The Archbishop challenged President Tinubu, state governors, and members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to take the lead in prudent living by reducing the high cost of governance and avoiding unnecessary travel that does not impact the lives of the people.
He cited the number of expensive vehicles purchased for government officials by the National Assembly and the executive arm of government as an example. The other instance he cited was the bloated delegation that attended international meetings at huge government expense.
Archbishop Martins urged Nigerians to cooperate with their leaders to ensure peace and economic stability in the New Year.
He appealed to government to urgently address lingering wage-related issues that concern Nigerian workers, particularly resident doctors and university lecturers, among others.
