By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
Rt. Rev. Oluyinka Akande, the Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West, said on Saturday that current employment rate and poor remuneration of workers constituted national embarrassment.
Akande made the remark in his charge at the 18th Annual Synod of the diocese held at Methodist Church, Mushin, Lagos.
The Methodist Bishop charged government at all levels to address the two issues to improve the lot of Nigerians.
He said it was disheartening that many states owed staff salaries in spite of increased monthly allocation of funds to them by the Federal Government.
"It is more disheartening that some of the state governors still went to borrow money, notwithstanding the increased funds allocation, he added.
“I urge governments at all levels to decisively tackle this avoidable situation.
“I appeal also that as we reduce dependence on importation of goods, government should engender an environment conducive to business,’’ he said.
Akande noted that emigration by Nigerians was affecting the Church as women were leaving the country and taking their husbands who are ministers in the church along with them.
He also challenged government to tidy up the oil sector and bring those frustrating the sector to book since Nigeria’s economy is depended on the oil industry.
He challenged President Bola Tinubu to improve the nation’s economy and address food insecurity; eradicate corruption and keep the promises he made to Nigerians when he assumed office.
Akande remarked that fuel subsidy removal led to scarcity and increment in pump price.
"It has become unacceptable that a country as ours, oil producing and major marketer of crude, has continued to suffer untold hardship associated to fuel shortage or scarcity.
"The experience since 2023, which still continues, is better imagined than experienced, so many committees had been set up to look at the oil sector, but failures had attended their ways.
"It has then become a national calamity, and a declaration of state of emergency on this is necessary," he stressed.
Akande said the Methodist Church might consider the establishment of food banks in all its branches across the diocese and raise a committee on food security to address the issue.
Commenting on the theme of the synod: “Arise and Build- Nehemiah 2:18’’, the bishop called on Christians to arise, build their families, churches and nation as Nehemiah did.
"There is a great deal to learn about building from the story of Nehemiah in Bible, with the high cost of living and inflation in the country, we believe some families find themselves a bit strewn at present.
"Many of our building projects have been disrupted, at such it is hard to know where to go from here.
"In the midst of these challenges, it is possible to feel lost while we dillydally, it is time we started creating in the rubble, dreaming in the dark, and forging through the fog," Akande said. (NAN)
Post a Comment