BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Nigerian Baptist Convention has expressed concern over the myriads of challenges besetting the nation, saying that the Federal Government must take decisive action to address issues of poor economy, migration of young Nigerians overseas, brigandage in politics and insecurity.
Noting that there was reduction in kidnapping, banditry and terrorism as year 2022 was ending, the President of the Convention, Rev. Dr Israel Akanji, said that the sorrow of insecurity, terrorism, economic depression, social vices and religious bigotry would eventually be averted.
Akanji spoke on Wednesday at a press conference by the Nigerian Baptist Convention held at the Baptist Building, Oke Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State, praying that the country should never experience what happened at the time of the ASUU strike again.
The statement issued by the Convention president at the conference read that “We are concerned at the rate of migration of young Nigerians to other countries of the world because the number of very young, brilliant, vibrant, and strong Nigerians who have left the country in the last one year is alarming. Too many people are either unemployed or underemployed. Very top performing professionals, particularly in the academic, medical, engineering and technological fields are exiting the nation in droves.”
The statement titled, ‘Press release on the New Year for Nigeria, further read, “Government has to ensure job security for our unemployed graduates so that the future of our nation will be preserved. Very experienced professionals have deserted our hospitals due to very low pay. Medical equipment cannot be brought into the nation due to very high cost and an unimaginably poor foreign exchange rate.
“The economy is so bad that everything has become very costly and Nigerian professionals are being offered better emoluments all over the world. Our government must address this situation as soon as possible in this New Year.
We are also very worried about the situation of power in the nation. Power is so unstable that almost every household has to generate its own electricity through the purchase of generators.
“It is shocking that most countries of the world with lower economic strength are able to have sustained electricity supply, but Nigeria is still groping in the dark. It is hoped that this situation will be a thing of the past soonest and our government must take this matter very seriously.
“It is sad that fuel scarcity has become a dominant disappointment in Nigeria. How can it be explained that all over our cities, long fuel queues and fuel hawlking is the order of the day? There is an urgent need for this very situation to be urgently corrected.
“Our government has to look into the issue of bad roads all over the country. The situation is so bad that one can travel for two hours on a road that should not be more than 30 minutes to drive on. This makes life stressful for Nigerians and the need to look into the issues of our roads cannot be overemphasized.
“The 2023 election has been a matter of prayers and enlightenment for us in the Church. We have been praying for a peaceful and smooth election in the year 2023. Before now, we have encouraged our members and all people of good will, character and charisma, to be involved in politics – to be ready to be voted for and to vote. This led us to take stringent steps to ensure that our people got their PVC.
“The days are now at hand for the elections and we wish to counsel all Nigerians to perform their civic responsibilities with uttermost respect for fellow Nigerians, for life and property. We have warned young people not to allow themselves to be agents of thurgry or political criminality. People have also been encouraged to vote according to their conscience for people who will be of great benefit to Nigerians, wherever they may come from.
“We wish to enjoin all political contestants to ensure fair play and to shun election malpractices. We are again urging all our politicians to display a good spirit of sportsmanship and not make the elections a do or die affair. We believe that God, who has always helped us in Nigeria, will help us again. Those who lose elections now can win another time, if God permits.
“We wish to oppose the use of foul language during the electioneering campaigns. It is wrong to abuse any person who is making the effort to make Nigeria a better country. Such people who are laying down their lives so that our nation can be developed and stable should not be castigated by those who are unwilling to make the kind of sacrifices they are making. We know that our God will hand Nigeria unto whoever He dims fit.
“Nigerians should ensure that only the right candidates are voted for at the national and state elections.”
