The Nigerian Baptist Convention has called on the federal government to take all early warning signals of danger seriously.
The christian orgnaisation said if the cries and calls of the masses had been respected and given the urgent attention they deserved, the country was not likely to get to the level it has reached now.
Its President, Rev. Israel Akanji said this in an open letter dated August 1 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu on the state of the nation.
He said the three tiers of the government have to accept and acknowledge the fact that there is hardship in the land and come up with realistic ways of leading the nation out of the problems at such a time as this.
Akanji added that the government should be clearly seen to be appealing to the people for more patience as they work assiduously to engage and ameliorate the hardship in the land.
He noted that the current palliatives being released could be likened to only a drop in the mighty ocean of the problems.
Akanji stressed that federal government should bring tax holiday and other incentives to the industrial and business sectors, particularly in order to bring back all small and big industries that have left the country, saying this would generate massive employment.
He said the government should revisit the fuel subsidy removal by significantly reducing the current price of all fuel products in the country.
Akanji emphasised that the government should further address the security situation in the country with a view to returning farmers to their farms in order to curb food insecurity in the country.
He pointed out that government at all levels should mobilise the youths with incentives to make farming attractive before the rainy season ceases, adding that government should also assist directly in bringing back the culture of storing farm produce in the silos nationwide.
The christian body noted that the lifestyles of political office holders should reflect the reality on ground in the nation in the areas of emoluments and benefits.
The body added that governments at all levels should be carrying the traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders along, before introducing policies that could trigger protests, saying doing so after things have gone out of hand is an indication of repeating past mistakes.
Akanji said: “I bring you greetings during this hard time that we have found ourselves as a nation. In my Pastoral Letter to our Church (Nigerian Baptist Convention), I kept in obedience to the word of our Saviour, Jesus Christ that says: “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).
“Therefore, my submission to them was in the fear that the protest could be hijacked, which might lead to further possible disaster. I wish now to turn to our government at all levels, through Your Excellency, with a few suggestions, in addition to, or repetition of the suggestions of others, on possible ways out of the present situation.
“Government should direct the Apex Bank to rescue the Naira from unending depreciation. No country allows her currency to fade away. Government at all levels should follow the footsteps of the House of Representatives that reduced the wages of its members. FEC should also do the same if the number of the cabinet cannot be reduced.
“Government should take all early warning signals of danger seriously. If the cries and calls of the masses had been respected and given the urgent attention they deserved, we are not likely to get to the level we now have reached.
“Government at all levels should facilitate dialogue with all stakeholders in order to douse the current tension in the country.”
The christian body also urged the government, through its numerous hands, to maintain constant communication with the people, to explain situations and answer questions being asked, noting that silence, when speech is needed, is not helpful.
