Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins who is the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government and all political leaders across the country to give Nigerians enough reasons to smile in Year 2024 through their actions and policies.
In a statement on Sunday, the Archbishop pointed out that 2023, an election year with all its controversies, witnessed untold hardship for millions of Nigerians due to the prohibitive cost of most essential commodities. He enjoined governments at all levels – across party lines – to harness all available resources to fashion out policies that would help alleviate the suffering of the majority of Nigerians.
He said, ‘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. 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.’
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“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.”
According to the cleric, 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 youths.
Archbishop Martins urged Nigerians to cooperate with their leaders to ensure peace and economic stability in the New Year and appealed to the government to urgently address lingering wage-related issues that concern Nigerian workers, particularly resident doctors and university lecturers, among others.