Catholic Bishops Lament Widening Inequality, Poverty among Nigerians

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) yesterday lamented that insurgents, herdsmen militia, bandits, and the so-called unknown gunmen had continued to unleash terror in different parts of the country.

The bishops therefore called upon the federal government to address the fundamental defective structures that deepened inequality and poverty in the country.

They expressed grave concerns about worsening standard of living among Nigerians in a communique at the end of the second plenary meeting held in Abuja yesterday.

The President of CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji and its Secretary, Bishop Donatus Ogun, signed the communique, though released by Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaye in Ado-Ekiti yesterday.

The communique, titled Religion, Civic Responsibility and the Building of a Better Nigeria, said the hike in school fees has made it difficult for the children of the poor to continue their education.

The bishops observed that human conditions had been aggravated by the removal of fuel subsidy which according to them, had led to spiralling cost of food items, transportation and meeting up with other essential needs.

At the plenary in Abuja yesterday, the bishops advocated for building of a better nation, noting that moral regeneration of Nigerians was a key factor to building a new Nigeria.

The bishops decried the escalating insecurity situation in the country, saying it had remained a persisting problem as insurgents, herdsmen militia, bandits, and the so-called unknown gunmen had continued to unleash terror in different parts of the country.

“Kidnapping for ransom has continued. Some of our communities have been completely taken over by criminals. The result is that many have fled their homes, abandoned their farms, shops, businesses and other sources of livelihood.

“The throng of internally displaced persons in our country is ever-growing, with many children out of school, making them easy prey to human traffickers,” CBCN lamented.

Contrary to claims by the Nigerian military recently that it has ended the sit at home saga in the South-east of Nigeria, the bishops said insecurity in Nigeria has been compounded by the incessant sit-at-home orders in the South-east issued by non-state actors.

According the bishops, many have lost their lives for failing to adhere to such illegal directives.”

The bishops condemned the killing of the young seminarian, Stephen Danladi of Kafanchan Diocese and all the other victims of such violence in all parts of the country as it condoled with all the bereaved and pray for the eternal repose of the dead.

They called on governments at all levels to stand up to their primary responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians. “The blood of the innocent continues to cry out to God for vengeance like Abel’s,” CBCN said.

While addressing the state of economy of the nation, CBCN noted that the country’s failing and worsening economy “has continued to make living difficult and hard for our people.

“Nigerians have been subjected to a life of poverty, hunger, hardship and suffering. The condition has been aggravated by the removal of fuel subsidy, which has led to high cost of food items, transportation and meeting up with other essential needs.

“As if these are not enough, the hike in school fees has made it difficult for the children of the poor to continue their education. Based on past experience, we consider the resort to palliative measures as a treatment of the symptom rather than the cure for the disease,” the bishops said.

They, therefore, urged government to address the fundamental defective structures that deepened inequality and poverty.

They called on governments at all levels to provide the enabling environment for the creation of more jobs for our teeming unemployed youths.

They equally encouraged governments “to put in place measures that will curb the persistence of theft of oil and other minerals.”

 At the same time, the bishops enjoined the government “to radically review programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Youths. We equally advise the youth not to resort to violence and crime as a substitute for hard work.”

The bishops rejected the ever-increasing scandalous comfort and remuneration of elected leaders to the detriment of the poor.

“We therefore demand that the governments cut the increasing cost of running government in our country and that the money saved be used to provide essential amenities and services,” it said.

The bishops emphasised the contribution of religion in nation building, saying from the beginning of time, religion “has contributed immensely to the building and sustaining of nations and empires.

“It has done this through socialisation processes, both formal and informal, societal integration and social control. Religion, as it were, brings to focus the inalienable place of God in human history. In Nigeria, we have three main religions: Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion.

“These religions have enjoyed mutual co-existence over time and agree on the sacredness of human life, moral uprightness, justice for all, especially for the poor and the vulnerable, respect for elders and those in authority, and many other common values.”

The bishops, however, acknowledged that religion has had its share of negative impact on some nations, especially in multi-ethnic and diverse cultures, calling on Christians in Nigeria to change the narratives.

“We invite all Christians, and indeed all people of good will, to be salt of the earth in the quest for rebuilding our nation through political participation, contribution to sustainable development, promotion of the common good, social justice, the rule of law, and shunning primordial interests that inhibit peace and development of the society. “

The bishops canvassed moral regeneration in the country, noting that moral integrity of any nation is paramount to its growth and development.

“One who has moral integrity does the right thing always, takes responsibility for his or her actions, treats others with respect, and is honest. These qualities are necessary for rebuilding a strong and cohesive society.

“Unfortunately, our country is in serious deficit of moral rectitude which is demonstrated in increasing corruption, cyber-crime and other forms of criminality, blatant lies, and dishonesty.

“As bishops, we are concerned that moral education is not given adequate attention in the families, schools, formation programmes and public institutions,” the bishops said in the communique.