Explore New, Better Ways of Dealing with Insecurity: Nigerian Archbishop to Government

“Another area of concern that touches people every single day is the economy. The inflation level is too high even as the value of our currencies are nose-diving daily. We can all feel the consequences of high inflation rate and the value of our currency that has nose-dived,” he says in his New Year Message. 

The Nigerian Archbishop adds, “As we begin the year 2022, the federal government must take further steps to reappraise its economic policies and inject fresh ideas to cushion the effects of the harsh economy on the masses and mitigate the suffering that would arise from the projected economic challenges of the new year.”

On COVID-19 and the latest omicron variant, the Local Ordinary of Lagos commends the Nigerian government for the “efforts so far in curtailing its spread,” and calls upon the people of God in the country to get vaccinated.

“Unfortunately, we still have to battle the pandemic this new year. Let us start each day with prayerful optimism and go about our daily activities with utmost caution and in strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols,” Archbishop Adewale says.

He continues, “As we pray for divine intervention, we must also be prepared to work hard and do the needful since heaven helps those who help themselves.”

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In the New Year Message, the Catholic Archbishop maintains that the Nigerian government also needs to address health care.

He particularly advocates for improved funding in the area of research and development in the country’s health sector “in order to buoy local production of drugs and vaccines to reduce over-reliance on foreign aid.”

Archbishop Adewale further encourages the Federal government of Nigeria to consider safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians in the New Year even if it will involve introducing new personnel in the security system.

He recalls those who lost their lives in 2021, saying, “We thank the good Lord for making it possible for us to see the New Year. As we celebrate, let us remember our brothers and sisters who passed on during the year, thereby ending their earthly journey. We pray that their souls find lasting peace with God.”

“For those of us who are still alive, let us remember the admonition of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace to us: not to fret or fear over tomorrow, but to live with the courage and belief that each day is in the hands of God, and He has the blueprint by which He will make our lives better in the coming year,” he adds.

He further says, “On our part, we must do that which is right and good towards our neighbors, living in peace and harmony with everyone. We must not allow the predictions of doom and other challenges that we face to lead us to question the presence of God even in our circumstances. He is able to turn around all things for good.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.