Jonathan Nwokpor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all other political leaders in the nation have been urged by the Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, to provide Nigerians with ample cause for joy in 2024.
The Archbishop claims that millions of Nigerians suffered greatly in 2023—an election year marred by controversy—as a result of the excessive expense of most basic necessities.
The cleric urged all tiers of government, regardless of political affiliation, to use every resource at their disposal to craft policies that would lessen the suffering of the vast 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 pointed out that even good measures are frequently hampered by political expediency and favoritism.
“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.”
In order to demonstrate cautious living, the Archbishop challenged President Tinubu, state governors, and members of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to cut back on expensive government expenditures and steer clear of pointless travel that does not improve the lives of the populace.
He used the number of pricey cars that the National Assembly and the executive branch of government had bought for government personnel as an example. He also mentioned the bloated delegation that incurred significant government costs to attend international events.
In order to maintain peace and economic stability in the coming year, Archbishop Martins asked Nigerians to work with their government.
He urged the government to take immediate action to resolve persistent wage-related concerns that Nigerian workers, including university lecturers and resident physicians, are facing.
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