The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the FCT has called on the Bola Tinubu administration to combat mass poverty and hunger in the land that has left many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet.
Northern CAN made the call in a communique signed by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chaplain Gilbert Jechonia and released to journalists in Kaduna on Friday.
According to the association, the economic situation in the country has worsened considerably since the removal of fuel subsidy.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu removed petrol subsidy on the day of his May 29 inauguration.
Since then, the pump price of the product has nearly tripled, with attendant effect on transportation costs and food prices.
In the communique, the Christian association said that the lives of Nigerians “is becoming a living hell as prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities have gone up beyond the reach of the poor masses.”
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Northern CAN called on the president and the 36 governors to live up to the expectations of Nigerians, by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedeviling the country were addressed.
The 11-point-communique at the end of the three-day quarterly meeting presided over by the Chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, partly read, “That the President and governors must run an all-inclusive government and ensure that development projects are distributed fairly to give every section of the country or state a sense of belonging.
“The meeting called on President Bola Tinubu to do everything humanly possible to address the issue of food crisis in the land.
“The free fall of the Naira to Dollar and other foreign currency is a threat that the government must address for the good of our economy.
“The meeting also commended the government for taking steps to cushion the effect of the removal of Petrol subsidy by way of providing palliative.
“However, it is our considered opinion that the provision of such palliatives is not a lasting solution to the hardship being faced by the masses.”
“There is mass poverty and hunger in the land, many Nigerians are barely struggling to make ends meet.
“Many businesses have collapsed as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country. Unemployment has pushed many young people into crime.
“The meeting called by President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states of the federation to live up to the expectations of Nigerians, by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedevilling the country are addressed,” the association said.
Meanwhile, Northern CAN called on Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the unity and stability of the country regardless of the mass poverty and hunger in the land
On the political impasse in Niger, Northern CAN advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the use of force.
The Christian body commended the armed forces for the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency and banditry.
They also urged the security agencies to step up efforts to address bandit attacks, especially in the North, saying “these criminals attack communities, killing and abducting people” on a daily basis.
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