The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has lamented that mass poverty, hardship and hunger have continued to ravage Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to put in more efforts at addressing the challenges.
The group claimed that as the cost of food, transportation, and other necessities had increased beyond the means of the majority of the poor, life was turning into a “living hell.”
It was stated that it was still not Uhuru in Northern Nigeria in terms of criminal element operations in the area and that terrorism and other types of insecurity had persisted unabatedly.
The Northern CAN called on all security agencies in the country to up their games to ensure that the terrorists are eliminated from the region and the country in general.
This was contained in a communiqué issued and signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO)of Northern CAN, Chaplain Gilbert Jechonia which was sent to Africa Today News, New York on Monday.
The communiqué said the meeting, presided over by the chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, was attended by leaders of the association in the 19 Northern States and FCT. The communiqué read in parts: ‘There is mass poverty and hunger in the land. Many Nigerians are barely struggling to make ends meet. Many businesses have collapsed as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country. Unemployment has pushed many young people into crime.
“The meeting commended security agencies for fighting insurgency and banditry which has contributed to the destruction of our economy.
“However, it is not yet uhuru as the bandits continue to terrorise communities, especially in the north. Almost on a daily basis, these criminals attack communities, killing and abducting people. Many people cannot go to their farms for fear of being abducted or killed.
“We call on the federal government not to relent in empowering and supporting security agencies to crush the criminals. The meeting called on President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states of the federation to live up to the expectations of Nigerians, by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedeviling the country are addressed.
“The President and governors must run an all inclusive government and ensure that development projects are distributed fairly to give every section of the country or state a sense of belonging.
‘The meeting called on President Bola Tinubu to do everything humanly possible to address the issue of food crisis in the land. Nigerians are suffering as a result of the removal of petrol subsidy. Life is becoming a living hell as prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities have gone up beyond the reach of the poor masses. The prices are on the increase on a daily basis. The free fall of the naira to the dollar and other foreign currency is a threat that the government must address for the good of our economy. The meeting also commended the government for taking steps to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy by way of providing palliatives.