*CAN backs Bishops

*We’re doing well in spite of your observations, FG counters 

By Stellamaries Amuwa and Mercy Aikoye

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Sunday gave a damning verdict, saying that Nigeria is experiencing the worst of times.

In particular, they fingered security and the economy stressing that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has so far performed below expectation without any hope in sight.

The organization also lashed out at the government saying its reform agenda worsened the plight of Nigerians, harping in the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market, which according to them, have spiralled a sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products and worsening cum declining value of the Naira.

The President of CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, passed the verdict at the opening session of the 2024 First Plenary of the CBCN which held in Abuja.

The theme of the conference “Synod on Synodality”,
described the state of affairs of the nation as unbearable.

According to Archbishop Ugorji, although the government demands additional sacrifice from the struggling masses, there there has not been any visible drastic cut in the cost of governance at all levels.

On the contrary, he stated, top government officials live by the sweat, toil and tears of the poor as they continue spending huge public funds on ostentatious and luxurious lifestyles and seem incapable of feeling compassion for the poor.

But, these assertions were quickly debunked by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume insisted that despite inherited socio-economic challenges, Tinubu’s administration has done well.

Akume outlined the achievements of the administration in various sectors, including agriculture, food security, health, national security, and economic reforms, insisting that “in less than nine months on the saddle the administration has recorded positive accomplishments in diverse sectors.”

He emphasized government’s commitment to reversing the current hardships through strategic policies and investments aimed at transforming the economy and ensuring inclusive growth.

He called for faith and perseverance especially during this lenten season, pointing out that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Archbishop Ugorji had stated that, “If we cast a cursory glance at the present state of our nation, we are inclined to conclude that this seems to be the worst of times for our country in the areas of security and the economy. “Despite the huge sums of money appropriated monthly as security votes, our communities have continued to experience persistent insecurity.

“Recently, there has been an upsurge in kidnapping for ransom and increasing incidents of senseless bloodshed across the nation. Unarmed citizens are brutally slaughtered on our highways, in their homes and even in the sacred precincts of places of worship. Killer herdsmen, bandits and unknown gunmen seem to be on rampage. Many communities across the nation have been taken over completely by criminals. 

“Families have lost their ancestral lands to armed invaders and land-grabbers. The social and economic lives of communities have been paralysed due to insecurity.

“Schools have been shut down, and children can no longer continue their education. Farmers are unable to access their farms out of fear of either losing their lives or being kidnapped. Businesses have closed down. Many displaced families have no sources of livelihood and are daily afflicted by hunger and starvation.

“The reform agenda of the present government has added to the plight of Nigerians. With the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market, there has been a sharp increase in the pump price of petroleum products and a steep decline in the value of the Naira. Indeed, there is a free fall of the national currency. 

“High spiralling inflation has made it difficult for the average Nigerian to access basic commodities, including food items and medication.

“As a result of the government’s reform agenda, millions of Nigerians have been reduced to a life of grinding poverty, wanton suffering, and untold hardship as never before in our national history. 

“In a bid to survive, an increasing number of the poor have resorted to begging. 

“With more than 80 million Nigerians living under the poverty line of less than two dollars a day, our country, according to the recent disclosure of the World Bank, is the world’s second-largest poor population after India”.

He noted that while several impoverished Nigerians continue to suffer and die as a result of the hardship caused by the government’s economic reforms, the president has continued to urge the populace to make even more and more sacrifices with the assurance that brighter days lay ahead.

“As the government demands additional sacrifice from the struggling masses, one would expect to see a drastic cut in the cost of running the government at all levels. 

“On the contrary, it is worrisome to watch top government functionaries living by the sweat, toil and tears of the poor. 

“They continue spending huge public funds on ostentatious and luxurious lifestyles and seem incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor,” he stressed.

He pointed at FX arbitrage, over-pricing, and over- invoicing to embezzlement, money laundering, forgery, and all sorts of manipulation as cancerworms plaguing the administration. 

“We cannot easily overlook the sordid roles of many fraudulent politicians and Bank Executives in fleecing the whole nation and destroying our national economy through the dirty game of corruption, causing untold hardship and untimely deaths across the nation.”

The Catholic Bishops also touched on the controversial Vatican document “Fiducia Supplicans”, which prohibits blessings for same-sex unions and also encourages pastoral care for those in ‘irregular situations.’

Earlier, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, in his homily, underscored the importance of using Nigeria’s abundant talents and natural resources to elevate the nation.

He lamented the current state of affairs where potential is stifled by poor governance and corruption.

“We must rise to the challenge and harness our god-given talents for the betterment of our society”, Kaigama said.