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Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary: Archbishop Urges Elected Leaders to Address Citizens’ “unprecedented” Hardships

Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Lagos, 30 September, 2024 / 9:53 pm (ACI Africa).

The people of God in Nigeria are experiencing “unprecedented” challenges since the West African nation gained independence in 1960, the Local Ordinary of the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has said.

In a press release that the Director of Social Communications of the Nigerian Archdiocese, Fr. Anthony Godonu, issued, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Marins urges elected leaders in Africa’s most populous nation to address the economic challenges of the citizens.

Those elected into leadership positions in Nigeria need “to wake up to the reality that Nigerians are going through an economic hardship, unprecedented since the country’s independence in 1960,” Archbishop Adewale says in the Monday, September 30 press release that Fr. Godonu shared with ACI Africa ahead of the Tuesday, October 1 Independence Day anniversary.

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop says that “government at all levels owe the citizens, the responsibility of providing a conducive environment for their businesses to thrive and secure their lives and property so that they can afford the basic necessities of life and provide quality healthcare for their families.”

Reflecting on the country’s history, Archbishop Adewale notes that successive governments since the country’s independence in 1960 have “failed to lead the nation in the direction of steady and sustainable development.”

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“So, we do not yet have a nation where no man is oppressed, where even though tribe and tongue may differ, but people are able to stand in brotherhood such that love, peace and justice reign and all citizens are able to thrive,” Archbishop Adewale laments.

He continues, “As we mark 64 years of independence, one cannot help but wonder how much there is to celebrate given the adversities Nigerians face today.”

The Local Ordinary of Lagos since August 2012 goes on to decry ongoing insecurity, rampant crime, and widespread poverty exacerbated, he says, by high petrol prices, inflation, and burdensome taxes, and terms these challenges as a betrayal of the principles upon which Nigeria was founded.

He calls upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the “escalating cost of living, which has worsened since the removal of the petroleum subsidy and the floating of the naira.”

“The best independence anniversary gift the President can give to Nigerians is to find ways of reducing the pump price of petrol and other products,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop says.

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He urges State Governors to “prioritize the welfare of citizens by reducing the high cost of governance and ensuring proper use of state resources.”

Archbishop Adewale offers his prayers for the country and encourages Nigerians to “remain law-abiding and continue contributing positively to the nation’s development.”

He expresses hope that Nigeria could still achieve its potential as the true “Giant of Africa.”

The Catholic Archbishop reminds the nation’s leaders that they have a “moral responsibility to steer Nigeria toward a brighter and more prosperous future for all its citizens.”

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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