Find realistic solutions to hardship, Baptist Convention tells Tinubu

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As the 10-day nationwide protest against bad governance enters the second day, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find realistic solutions to the hardship faced by Nigerians.

The assertion was contained in an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Akanji on the ongoing nationwide protest which began on Thursday.

He added that the government should be clearly seen to be appealing to the people of the country for more patience as they work assiduously to engage and ameliorate the hardship in the land.

According to him, “The current palliatives being released can be likened to only a drop in the mighty ocean of our problems. The government should further address the security situation in the country to return farmers to their farms to curb food insecurity in the country.

“Government at all levels should mobilise teaming youths with incentives to make farming attractive before the rainy season ceases stressing that, They should also assist directly in bringing back the culture of storing farm produce in the silos nationwide.

“Government should create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the teaming, intelligent and energetic youths of our country. The government should bring tax holidays and other incentives to the industrial and business sectors, particularly to bring back all small and big industries that have left the country. This will generate massive employment.

“Government should revisit the fuel subsidy removal by significantly reducing the current price of all fuel products in the country. The government should direct the Apex Bank to rescue the Naira from unending depreciation. No country allows her currency to fade away.

“Government at all levels should follow the footsteps of the House of Representatives that reduced the wages of its members. FEC should also do the same if the number of the cabinet cannot be reduced.

“The lifestyles of our political office holders should reflect the reality on ground in the nation in the areas of emoluments and benefits. Governments at all levels should be carrying the traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders along, before introducing policies that can trigger protests. Doing so after things have gone out of hand is an indication of repeating past mistakes.

“Government at all levels should facilitate dialogue with all stakeholders in order to douse the current tension in the country. The government should take all early warning signals of danger seriously. If the cries and calls of the masses had been respected and given the urgent attention they deserved, we are not likely to get to the level we now have reached.

“Government, through its numerous hands, must maintain constant communication with the people of our country, to explain situations and answer questions being asked. Silence, when speech is needed, is not helpful for the generation, which constantly thrives on information.

“Therefore, all levels of government must seek to utilize their opportunities to address the people of our country. Even now, it is expedient that the government should speak to the people. The people are eager to hear.”

In the opening of the letter, he wrote “In my Pastoral Letter to our Church (Nigerian Baptist Convention), I kept in obedience to the word of our Saviour, Jesus Christ that says: “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Therefore, my submission to them was in the fear that the protest could be hijacked, which might lead to further possible disaster.”

“I wish now to turn to our government at all levels, through Your Excellency, with a few suggestions, in addition to, or repetition of the suggestions of others, on possible ways out of the present situation.”

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