During the commendation service held for the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu at the All Saints Church in Jericho, Ibadan, the Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese (Anglican Communion), Reverend Williams Aladekugbe, expressed his concern about the unprecedented hardship, increasing insecurity, poverty, and unemployment that have been plaguing Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu took office on May 29.
In his homily, Reverend Aladekugbe pointed out that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry, and angry, and he urged all levels of government to take swift action to address the skyrocketing prices of food items, rampant insecurity, criminal activities, and economic crises. He also noted that despite the president’s campaign promise to reduce the cost of living, Nigerians have been experiencing pain and suffering for the past nine months.
Reverend Aladekugbe further expressed his dismay that the socioeconomic reforms championed by the current federal government have only caused more suffering and hardship for Nigerians. He pleaded with the government and security agencies to take the situation seriously and prevent the country from sliding further into economic and security woes.
“We sincerely appeal to all tiers of government to intervene in the skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs in our dear country,” he said. “The hardship, insecurity, poverty, and unemployment in the country are such that no one can pacify anybody. What we are now experiencing is not what the president promised Nigerians.”
Reverend Aladekugbe also urged Nigerians to use the period of Lent to draw closer to God in fasting and prayers, asking for divine intervention to bring relief and deliverance from the current situation.