By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The founder and leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has lambasted the Federal Government for adopting palliatives as panacea to address economic hardship.
Asserting that palliatives is a wrong approach to lessen the burden, the cleric averred that it a means to further impoverish the masses and enrich the politicians.
He therefore, advised both the Federal and State Governments to embark on massive food production in order to make it affordable for the citizenry.
Primate Ayodele, who spoke at the second edition of the church’s palliative market in Lagos Wednesday, maintained that it is only availability of affordable food in large supply that can lessen the burden of economic hardship besetting the country.
The event, which had several beneficiaries going home with car, cash, and other gifts, also had food items sold at ridiculous prices in order to lessen the burden of economic hardship on the people.
A 50kg bag of rice was sold for N20,000, a 12.5kg bag of beans was sold for N2,000, tubers of yam were sold for N1,500, a 12.5kg bag of semovita was sold for N1,500, garri was sold for N3,000, a carton of Indomie sold for N1,500, wheat for N2,000 and many more.
Speaking further, the renowned prophet with a accurate predictions explained that the palliative market was a way to relieve Nigerians from the burden of economic hardship and to send a message to the federal government on the need to crash the prices of goods instead of other measures that are not benefiting the people directly.
He stressed that the method of approving a certain amount of naira to cushion the effects of economic hardship isn’t working because it is being embezzled by greedy politicians.
According to him, such process should be handled technocrats and revered clergymen without any political affliation or colouration.
’The local, state and federal government should know that this is what we call palliatives. The palliatives they are doing at the government level isn’t done the right way because the citizens are not benefiting directly.
“The economic hardship will not reduce if the government doesn’t do palliatives the right way it should be done. Politicians should not control palliatives, it should be controlled by people who are closer to the people like leaders of religious institutions, that’s why palliatives can get to the right people’’
‘’President Tinubu should wake up, there is hardship, people are in pain and in order to checkmate these palliatives, the government should have markets across the country where food items would be subsidized for citizens. A committee that will be accountable should also be created to this effect.’’
‘’We foretold everything happening regarding the economy today and they should have prepared ahead but they didn’t take it seriously. If the government doesn’t do the right thing, flour will be cost and that’s why I will be commissioning a bakery, health care centre in few days time in order to assist the government.’’
In the same vein, Primate Ayodele in his usual way of making lives better for people presented five exotic cars as gifts to church members and a journalist, Wale Lawal, an editor with City People Magazine for their dedication over the years.
While speaking about the car gift beneficiaries especially Mr Wale Lawal, Primate Ayodele described him as a media practitioner he loves wholeheartedly for his efforts in promoting the gospel.
The prophet recounted how Lawal would come to his church uninvited and write stories unsolicited for.
‘’Some days you come to my church, you watch and go. You write things even when I don’t ask you to. I know you came here by foot but I am giving you a car to appreciate you for all you have been doing.’’
Apart from these, Primate Ayodele presented cheques worth N2 Million to support the projects of upcoming churches that are not his branches.
In addition, Primate Ayodele presented scholarships, WAEC and JAMB forms to youths, empowered widows in his church, gave out appliances like refrigerators, hair dryer, medical equipment, to church members.
The palliative market was held to commemorate his 21 days annual thanksgiving programme which began on January 29.
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