Economic reforms: Akpabio, Akume beg Nigerians to sustain patience, resilience

Amidst the economic challenges faced by Nigerians, arising from the policy reforms of the present administration, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He said the reforms initiated by the government would soon bear fruits of economic prosperity.

Senator Akpabio made the call in his opening address as Chairman of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. Nigerians, still contending with the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, are expressing fears that the proposed fuel and aviation taxes will complicate their economic challenges.

A statement by the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media/Communication, Anietie Ekong, quoted Senator Akpabio as urging Nigerians never to despair over the current situation the country is going through but to look forward to a brighter future.

According to Akpabio: “Let me seize this opportunity to urge my compatriots to be patient with your government as we lay again the foundations of this house. Do not despair when the winds blow strong or the scaffolding shakes.

“For a nation is like a mighty cathedral—it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand. ‘They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.’ (Isaiah 40:31).

“Let us therefore renew hope in the Nigerian enterprise. Let us believe again that our land can be great, that our children can inherit a future brighter than our present. Let us bind the wounds of division, banish the cynicism of despair, and walk together—Church and State, pulpit and parliament, faith and policy—towards the dawn.

“Transformation is not the burden of one arm of society, nor the privilege of a select few. It is a covenant of partnership. As St Paul declares: ‘We are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.’”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, said the administration was working towards building a country that works for everyone.

“This administration came into office with a firm commitment to renew hope, strengthen our democratic institutions and build a Nigeria that works for all. We have taken bold steps to stabilise the economy, attract investment and implement reforms that will bring enduring benefits to our country.”

He urged the Church to keep supporting the government and assured that the Tinubu administration would leave no one behind through its social investment programmes.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said the Catholic Church has played key roles all over the world in fighting injustice, enthroning democratic governance and placing the welfare of the people at the centre of her policies.

He said his administration has invested heavily in lifting people out of poverty, especially the poor and vulnerable, and in improving their living conditions. He enumerated several intervention programmes initiated by the government. He also called for the continued support of the Church in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The conference had in attendance the Apostolic Nuncio and representative of the Pope, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, Catholic Bishops from all over Nigeria and other Catholic faithful, members of the National Assembly, politicians, and worshippers from all parts of the country.

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