Pentecostals urge all tiers of govt to fix security, empower citizens with livelihood, stop encouraging to depend on alms
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“Please, listen to the cries of the populace. The people are in agony and in pain. They are struggling to survive more than ever before.
“Let’s fix the economy to make sure the leakages are filled and stopped. The tremendous wealth of this nation must not be trapped with the 5 per cent at the top, let it go down to the grassroots ….
“Let’s punish corruption. Anybody found guilty should be severely punished.
“The anti-corruption agencies like ICPC and EFCC should not become political tools. They must operate neutrally and deal with corruption without government interference.
“If INEC is under the thumb of government, then the one who pays the piper dictates the tune. For us to have credible elections free of manipulation and ballot stuffing, INEC must be truly independent ….
“When you devalue people’s money, you devalue their lives. I never thought in my lifetime one dollar would buy N1,500.
“In 1985, with N500, I got $865. At that time, one naira was almost equal to one pound and two dollars. What has happened to us? ….
“Giving money to people does not deliver them from poverty. Empower them with livelihood. Stop encouraging Nigerians to depend on alms. It makes them poorer and vulnerable to manipulation during elections” – Wale Oke, PFN President.
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Government at all levels (federal, state, council) should fix the economy and security, end corruption, and empower citizens to live with dignity, rather than giving them handouts to induce loyalty to politicians, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has counselled.
PFN also advocated for genuine and full independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible elections, saying only a free and fair process can restore confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
PFN President Wale Oke made the points at a briefing on the state of the nation marking the 40th anniversary in Lagos, reminding leaders that citizens are passing through one of the most difficult seasons in the history of the country.
He said: “Please, listen to the cries of the populace. The people are in agony and in pain. They are struggling to survive more than ever before.
“Let’s fix the economy to make sure the leakages are filled and stopped. The tremendous wealth of this nation must not be trapped with the 5 per cent at the top, let it go down to the grassroots.”
Oke acknowledged God’s grace that has kept Nigeria united, despite daunting challenges, but warned against politicising the fight against corruption.
“Let’s punish corruption. Anybody found guilty should be severely punished.
“The anti-corruption agencies like ICPC and EFCC should not become political tools. They must operate neutrally and deal with corruption without government interference.
“If INEC is under the thumb of government, then the one who pays the piper dictates the tune. For us to have credible elections free of manipulation and ballot stuffing, INEC must be truly independent.’’
Oke urged Nigerians to join hands to rebuild the nation, lamenting the continued depreciation of naira.
“When you devalue people’s money, you devalue their lives. I never thought in my lifetime one dollar would buy N1,500.
“In 1985, with N500, I got $865. At that time, one naira was almost equal to one pound and two dollars. What has happened to us?’’.
He suggested deliberate policies to absorb young people into productive ventures, reiterating that Nigeria has more jobless youths than adults.
“If government establishes cottage industries in each of the 774 local government areas, employing just 500 youths each, that takes thousands off the streets.
“We must also deal with the menace of almajirai and street boys causing nuisance all over the place. Government should invest more in education and healthcare.
“Many schools still lack roofs and furniture, while hospitals remain poorly equipped. Why must our leaders fly abroad for [medical] treatment? Equip one tertiary hospital in each geo-political zone to global standards and Nigerians will have confidence in our system.’’
Oke also urged massive investment in infrastructure, including power, roads, rail, and aviation, and cautioned politicians against reducing citizens to beggars with token handouts.
“Giving money to people does not deliver them from poverty. Empower them with livelihood. Stop encouraging Nigerians to depend on alms. It makes them poorer and vulnerable to manipulation during elections.”
PFN Lagos Chairman Yemi Davies recounted that the fellowship has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development in the past four decades but the enormity of the challenges in governance, infrastructure, and corruption often make it appear that such contributions are not enough.
Davies described the past 40 years as monumental for the church in terms of growth, expansion and missions, stressing that if there is anything good that Nigeria has exported, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He lamented that lapses in political governance since independence has been overwhelming, fuelling public anger and blame against the church.
“PFN churches have consistently cushioned government’s failures in education and social interventions by establishing universities, secondary schools, and scholarships, which also provide massive employment.
“Nigeria would have been worse in crime and fraud without the stabilising role of the church,’’ Davies stressed.
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