Bishops under the umbrella of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the Nigerian government is allegedly purposely driving an increasing number of its citizens into Extreme Poverty through policies and initiatives. The Bishops called for an in-depth analysis of a number of government economic policies, especially those related to taxes, energy, gasoline, and other regulations that have been stifling and depressing Nigerians for the past year under the Tinubu administration. This was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the president and secretary of the CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, and Most Rev. Donatus A. Ogun Osa.
According to a section of the communiqué, there are grievances from people at all levels, including government officials, who argue that the present regime is bravely and achingly taking painstaking steps to turn things around while blaming their predecessors for the nation’s current state of misery. Thus, the Bishops urged governments at all levels to act quickly to unify taxes in order to stop the demise of Nigerian businesses and the ensuing Unemployment that follows. They added that Investors who are already struggling with high Manufacturing costs, low sales, negligible profit margins, and the decline of business capital will find encouragement in this.
Government urged to enact policies for food security.
They noted that while the government leverages taxes and levies as a means of raising revenue, multiple Taxation is a terrible burden for businesses and individuals. This is particularly sensitive in Nigeria where a lot of industries, companies, and factories are being choked off by the country’s unreliable power supply, high Petroleum prices, escalating inflation, rising labor costs, persistent depreciation of the Naira, and shortage of foreign exchange. Many domestic and international enterprises are having difficulties as a result of the current unfavorable business climate, and many have closed.
Multiple taxes and continuous bank Interest Rate hikes have made the situation much worse. These all play a part in Nigeria’s low ranking in the ease of doing business index and deter the commercial sector. The clerics called on governments to enact policies, programs, and initiatives that would address the various factors that negatively impact Food Security and include a well-thought-out execution strategy. Among the interventions recommended by the clerics are providing farmers and their crops nationwide safety and security, as well as providing support for small businesses.
Several other religious leaders have been vocal.
The Nigerian Catholic Bishops Conference has been vocal about the nation’s economic status and the struggles faced by the general populace. Similar remarks were made in February by Lucius Ugorji, President of the CBCN, who emphasized that Nigerians’ predicament has worsened due to the current government’s reform strategy. Several other Nigerian religious leaders have also openly challenged the federal government for its policies and the state of Poverty that its people are living in. For instance, the Sokoto Diocese’s Catholic bishop, Bishop Matthew Kukah, regularly criticized the Nigerian government for neglecting to confront the nation’s bad governance, economic decline, corruption, and insecurity.
Likewise, prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has frequently criticized the governing body, especially for how it has handled economic hardship and instability. The former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has expressed disapproval of how the government has handled the Economy and insecurity. He called for the country’s economic system to be restructured and that the government concentrate on initiatives that lessen poverty, generate employment, and advance social justice. Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, has also made remarks regarding the unrest and economic woes in Nigeria.
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In his call, the sultan urged the government to deal with issues like unemployment, illiteracy, and corruption—the main contributors of poverty and instability. These religious leaders have made use of their positions to draw attention to the government’s alleged missteps in addressing social justice, economic policy, corruption, and insecurity. Their criticisms resonate with the worries that many Nigerians have about the country’s current situation. Also, their advocacy for improved governance and more successful policies to address pressing socioeconomic problems and adopt inclusive growth, poverty reduction is to ensure higher living standards for all citizens.