Ash Wednesday: Nigerians Are Hungry, Angry Over Skyrocketing Prices Of Foodstuff, Bishop Tells Tinubu
*Tasks him to make good his promises to Nigerians
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Worried by the situation in the country, the Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Rt Reverend Williams Aladekugbe has charged governments at all levels to address the skyrocketing prices of food stuffs in the Nigeria market.
Rt. Reverend Aladekugbe gave the charge in Ibadan today in his lenten admonition to the people to mark the beginning of the 2024 40 days Christian fast.
Specifically, the Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese emphasized that Nigerians are hungry and angry and that President Bola Tinubu should make good his promises to the people.
“We strongly appeal to the Federal Government to do something urgent on the skyrocketing prices of food stuff. Nigerians are hungry and angry”, he said.
The Bishop added, “What we now experience is not what the government of President Tinubu promised Nigerians.
“He said to us “E lo fokan bake, o ma wale” that we should put our minds to rest that prices will come down.
“Unfortunately, nine months into the government everyone is in pains.We equally call on government to urgently intervene in the constant attacks in some parts of the country”.
He maintained further, “We call on the government and statutory security agencies to rise to their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of citizenry. We again encourage Nigerians to endure a little more. The future is bright.”
Rt. Reverend Aladekugbe while expressing optimism in President Tinubu and the future of the country, tasked the faithful to seize the opportunity of the lenten period to seek the face of God for the nation and its leaders.
Speaking on the commencement of this year’s Christian fast, Rt Reverend Aladekugbe said “The Christian also needs to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and retire to the wilderness of solitude for fasting and communion with God to crucify the flesh with its desire and lust”.
“Another Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christians period of 40 days fasting is here. Throughout the Christian year, the Christian is expected to follow the example of our Lord, share in His sufferings and His glory.
“Our message to the Church is to be fervent in prayers, abstain from all forms of sinful acts to attract the grace, mercy, favour and blessings of God. The period should be that of sober reflections, a time to seek the face of God through His word in prayers and good deeds” .
He stressed, “It is providential that the Christians period of 40 days fasting is beginning again at a time the country needs to acknowledge God and totally depend on Him for our leaders so that they will take Nigeria out of the woods”.
“We are presently going through a lot and from all indications, it is only God who could assist us. Our efforts and human calculations have failed us. Our political actors have disappointed us and inflicted much pains on us. We need God to step into the situation of our dear country in such a time as this, that there is economic downturn, corruption in addition to insecurity that manifest in form of banditry, kidnapping, etc.
“Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God and it marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season. It is commonly observed with ashes and fasting. It is a period of penitential preparation for Easter.
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting. It is the first day of Lent and always falls forty-six days before Easter. On Ash Wednesday, Christians abstain from eating. Which-ever way we go about it, our earnest prayers is that may our fast be a testimony and witness of our humble submission to His high majesty.
“The season requires that we trust the Lord to lead and direct us in all our activities as we seek to have His will enthroned in our lives and our nation especially in the days ahead. In this critical time, we should watch and pray.”
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