The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, the Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on the Federal and State governments to allow Nigerians to Breathe in the New Year.
He gave the charge in his New Year message where he admonished both tiers of government and political leaders across the country to give Nigerians good reasons to smile in the New Year.
The Archbishop observed that 2023, an election year with all its controversies, was characterized by untold hardship for millions of Nigerians due to the high cost of essential commodities.
He challenged government to fashion out policies that would help alleviate the hardship that majority of Nigerians are going through.
The red capped cleric pointed out that 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 difficult to keep their heads above water.
This, along with the insecurity in the country has led many of the best brains in the country to being sucked out of the country as they yield to the Japa syndrome, saying that those who remain are struggling to breathe.
Archbishop Martins described the prevailing economic situation as unacceptable and made a case to rejig the economy to bring solace to the impoverished masses.
He said “government must listen to the cries of poor Nigerians. Oftentimes, political expediency and patronage militate against even good policies. So, we expect that if President Tinubu wishes to write his name in gold, he must begin from now to use all resources available, human, and material, and not allow politics and political expediency to stand in the way of common good and the welfare of the majority.
“All that Nigerians ask for is working out policies that would bring down the high cost of foodstuff, reduce transportation costs, and provide gainful employment for the jobless, especially the youths.”
The Archbishop challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the States Governors, and members of the National and State Houses of Assembly to take the lead in making the sacrifices they expect of the people by reducing the cost of governance and the many travels that do not bring much good to the day to day life of the people.
“Cases in point,” according to him, “are the number of vehicles being purchased for government officials by the National Assembly and Executives arms of government, the sheer number of people that attend international meetings and turn them into jamborees.”
He also appealed to the government to address lingering wage-related issues of workers, particularly Resident Doctors, and University lecturers, amongst several others.
Notwithstanding, Archbishop Martins, urged Nigerians to cooperate with their leaders to ensure peace and economic stability in the New Year and asked them to be hopeful and to keep their minds positive about the year 2024.
Anawo
