The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, has admonished Nigerians to put their hope and trust in God, who alone can help them out of the present hardship in the country.
Bishop Odetoyinbo, who gave the admonition in his 2024 Christmas Message to Nigerians, called for collective efforts by all citizens in enthroning the structure of hope that will positively impact the lives of the citizenry.
He maintained that Nigerians must also identify and support vulnerable groups.
The Bishop opined that the government should identify critical areas of need and possible interventions such as food, education, health care, housing, and security, adding that affordable loans should be made available to small and medium-scale enterprises and providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.
He said, “More interventions from government in these areas will enthrone the structures of ‘Renewed Hope’ that government intends to establish”.
“The various agencies of government should work to instil hope in Nigerians by designing people-centred policies that will prioritize the well-being of Nigerians.
“While the government has enjoined the people to be patient for the positive effects of the removal of fuel subsidy to materialize, we urge the government to ensure that the savings from fuel subsidy removal and flotation of the Naira be reinvested to building infrastructures and addressing the raging economic problems affecting our people”.
Acknowledging the increased monthly allocation to State governments, increased workers’ minimum wage, student loans, cash transfer schemes to the vulnerable, 2025 budget among others, Bishop Odetoyinbo advised that more should be done in areas of food inflation, fixing our local refineries to meet contemporary standards, investment in social programs, fixing incessant collapse of the national grid and addressing insecurity headlong.
“We have an opportunity again this Christmas to allow truth to become the loudest voice in our lives as it provides an avenue for us to move from hopelessness to better living conditions and opportunities for businesses to thrive. God does not change, even when our circumstances do. Our God reigns and in Him we hope and trust. Hence, He sent His Son Jesus Christ as the reason for our joy and hope of Christmas. We must allow this understanding of hope to reshape and renew our minds towards building the Nigeria of our dream”.
“As we draw closer to the end of year 2024, we must learn to hope and trust in God who alone can help us out of the socio-political, economic and religious crisis of our country. We do our part as responsible citizens and urge the government to enthrone the structures of hope in Nigeria.
“Our message at this Christmas is that God is with us in Nigeria and we should never lose hope in our common pursuit to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign,
assuring that “Nigeria will rise again, and it will happen in our time”, he added.
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