Catholic Church Urges Government to Address Hardship, Subsidize Food Items
The Catholic Church, represented by Archbishop Gabriel Leke Abegunrin of the Archdiocese of Ibadan, has called on the Federal Government to subsidize food items instead of distributing palliatives to a select few. Speaking at the Justice, Development and Peace Commission in Ibadan, Archbishop Abegunrin emphasized the need for affordable food prices for the masses, suggesting that subsidizing costly food items would ensure wider accessibility.
Expressing concerns over the distribution of palliatives, Archbishop Abegunrin highlighted the disparity between the government’s allocation of resources and their actual distribution to the populace. He urged for transparency in the allocation of social welfare packages and criticized the political leaders for engaging in endless accusations instead of prioritizing the welfare of the citizens.
Accompanied by other church officials, Archbishop Abegunrin addressed the economic challenges exacerbated by the linkage of Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN), stressing the need for government policies to alleviate rather than exacerbate citizens’ distress.
Regarding the escalating cases of kidnapping and banditry, Archbishop Abegunrin criticized the government’s failure to bring perpetrators to justice, emphasizing the importance of robust security measures to prevent vigilantism and ensure public safety.
Furthermore, the Catholic Church reiterated its call for the return of schools to their original owners, citing the track record of academic excellence and holistic education provided by Catholic schools nationwide. Archbishop Abegunrin emphasized the potential benefits for the state if schools were returned to their original owners.
