In a recent statement, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, has urged Chief Bola Tinubu and all political leaders in Nigeria to provide reasons for Nigerians to be hopeful in 2024.
The Archbishop, in his Sunday address, noted that the year 2023, marked by elections and controversies, brought about severe hardships for many Nigerians.
He emphasized that this was largely due to the high prices of essential goods. He called on governments at all levels, irrespective of their political affiliations, to utilize all resources at their disposal to formulate policies aimed at easing the plight of the majority of Nigerians.
He stated, “The increase in the pump price of petroleum products and the drastic loss in the value of the naira, among other factors, have grossly affected the purchasing power of most Nigerians who are finding it increasingly difficult to survive. This alongside insecurity in the country has pushed the best brains in the country to yield to the Japa syndrome. Those of us who remain are struggling to breathe, as they say. This is unacceptable.”
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He further added, “As we begin the year 2024, we call on government, at all levels, to focus on policies that would help to rejig the economy and bring solace to the impoverished masses. Government must listen to the cries of poor Nigerians.”