The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, has urged the federal government to implement policies and programmes to support the most vulnerable members of society, including the unemployed, elderly, and young adults.
Ndukuba who made this call during the official opening of the Standing Committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria in Enugu State, emphasised the importance of addressing the needs of these groups.
The Primate said that these categories of citizens play critical roles in society and that there is a need to create initiatives to support them and secure the country’s future.
He called for urgent action to address the challenges faced by these marginalised populations, pointing out the prevalence of unemployment and the need for improved social welfare measures.
“There is therefore an urgent need for an articulation of appropriate policy and programmes to cater for this often-forgotten segment of the population or imperil the future of the country.
“When you see the numbers on our streets, you will agree that the need is urgent. A declaration of emergency in social welfare in Nigeria may not be out of place. While we commend the distribution of palliatives, the corruption in the system must be tackled,” he said.
Ndukuba, while speaking on the ongoing issues of insecurity and banditry in the country, emphasised the government’s responsibility to prioritise the safety and well-being of its citizens.
He commended the efforts of security forces while also acknowledging the systemic issues contributing to insecurity, such as corruption and lack of moral values in leadership.
“No society can ensure effective and enduring development without security. It is indeed the primary duty of government to do more to ensure the security of lives and property and stave off food insecurity that this parlous situation has engendered.
“We must however not fail to salute the courage and sacrifices that members of our security and armed forces for the nation daily. Our porous borders, the master of corruption which endemic in Nigeria, the erosion of good moral values and the greed-filled selfish leadership contributed to and are part of the insecurity of Nigeria. We long for a New Nigeria where no citizen is oppressed,” he said.
The Primate also expressed concerns about the energy crisis in Nigeria, noting the impact on businesses and households, calling for support for the development of alternative energy sources and highlighting the potential benefits of projects like the Dangote Refinery.
“There is a need to explore the establishment of modulating refineries and activating the existing ones and support them. Nigeria has the capacity to be a leading petroleum crude exporter, as well as exporter of refined products. Dangote and others building refineries should be granted incentives, even if not on the same scale,” he said.
Ndukuba also praised the government’s initiative to promote Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a transportation fuel and emphasised the importance of expanding access to affordable energy solutions.
He further underscored the Church’s commitment to monitoring the implementation of agreements to ensure they align with its values, particularly regarding issues like same-sex marriage, reiterating the Church’s stance against practices that contradict its doctrine and emphasised the importance of prioritising the needs of vulnerable populations in society.
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