The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, has charged government to rise up to the occasion and find lasting solutions to the economic hardship being faced by the people.
He said this while speaking at a press conference, on Wednesday, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Abegunrin who spoke on some vital issues affecting citizens of Oyo state and Nigeria said that it was necessary that he shows concern as a religious leader.
He said he often heard of palliatives being distributed but have never see them. He added that the social welfare package should be extended to all citizens of the State.
His words: “I am indeed happy to be addressing you today on some vital issues affecting us as citizens of Oyo State and Nigeria. As a religious leader, it is necessary that we show concern for our people and call the government to action.
“The Church and the State are partners in the promotion of Common Good and the uplift of people in the Society. There is no gainsaying the fact that Government has at her disposal various apparatus to ensure the flourishing of human life, especially security and social welfare. Bearing in mind the economic hardship being faced by our people, we call upon the Government to rise to the occasion. We often hear of palliatives being distributed but never see them. We hope that the social welfare package should be extended to all citizens of the State.
“In this regard, I must also talk about the linking of BVN and NIN. While the government may be well intentioned, the implementation has caused much distress and anxiety. After the cashless policy and scarcity of Naira in 2023, the banking sector must not be seen again as causing pain and stress to citizens who want to have easy access to their money. Government should therefore ensure that the exercise be allowed to go on for as long as possible and easy infrastructure put in place for citizens to be able to do the linking with the minimum of stress.”
The religious leader who spoke on security, education and employment opportunities noted that economic hardship often leads some to deviant behaviors.
He called on the government to ensure that the various security outfits in the state provide adequate security for everyone.
While commending the state government on road construction, he urged the state to look into alternative power generation and supply adding that power supply has been very poor recently.
His words: “Economic hardship often leads some to deviant behaviours, many communities have resorted to policing their communities especially at night. The Government is called upon to ensure that the various security outfits in the state provide adequate security for all and Sundry. If this is lacking, individuals will resort to jungle justice, as we have been witnessing in recent times; this can affect the peaceful coexistence of people in the State.
“We commend the government of the state on the Construction and repairs of many roads in the State. These make movement of people easier, but the State has been experiencing poor power supply for far too long. Normal life is grounded, and many businesses have been grossly affected because of this. The State must look into alternative power generation and supply, or whatever will improve the life of the people of the State.”
