The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria stated that the Federal Government reform agenda has drastically increased the hardship Nigerian’s are facing.
The bishop said the inflation in Nigeria had rendered citizens helpless, as they’re not able to afford essential commodities, such food items.
Lucius Ugorji, the President of the CBCN, disclosed this during his welcome speech on Sunday at the commencement of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the CBCN, held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Resource Centre in Durumi, Abuja.
Ugorji said, “The reform agenda of the present government has added to the plight of Nigerians. With the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market, there has been a sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products and a steep decline in the value of the naira. Indeed, there is a free fall of the national currency.
As a result of the government’s reform agenda, millions of Nigerians have been reduced to a life of grinding poverty, wanton suffering, and untold hardship as never before in our national history.
“In a bid to survive, an increasing number of the poor have resorted to begging. With more than 80 million Nigerians living under the poverty line of less than two dollars a day, our country, according to the recent disclosure of the World Bank, is the world’s second-largest poor population after India.
“While many impoverished Nigerians continue to suffer and die as a result of the hardship caused by the government’s economic reforms, the president has continued to urge the populace to make even more and more sacrifices with the assurance that brighter days lay ahead.”
On insecurity, the bishop said despite the money appropriated monthly as security votes, insecurity keep worsening in the country.
Also speaking, the president, Christian Association Nigeria, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said “the high level of insecurity, runaway inflation and hunger are areas of serious concern as well. I am confident that the state of our nation shall be exhaustively discussed with sincerity and humility at the plenary as usual.”
In his remarks, Senator George Akume, told the Bishops that the country is relying on them for encouragement .
“Through strategic policies, well thought out initiatives and investments, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration aims to drive economic transformation, ensure security, enhance food production, harness natural resources, develop critical infrastructure, improve social services, foster economic diversification, and enhance governance efficiency.
“These efforts are geared towards building a prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all”.
