Bishop, Ibadan North Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Reverend Williams Aladekugbe, on Tuesday, bemoaned the unparalleled hardship, burgeoning insecurity, poverty, unemployment in the country since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, calling on the federal government to redouble its efforts.
Aladekugbe’s charge was contained in his homily at the commendation service held for late governor Rotimi Akeredolu at All Saints Church, Jericho, Ibadan.
Describing Nigerians as presently frustrated, hungry, and angry, Aladekugbe called on all tiers of government to urgently arrest the skyrocketing prices of food items, widespread insecurities, criminality, economic calamities.
As against the president’s campaign call on Nigerians to put their minds and rest and promise to bring down the prices of items when he assumes office, the Anglican Bishop said Nigerians have rather been in pain for the past nine months.
Aladekugbe further said it was baffling that the socioeconomic reforms being championed by the present federal government had inflicted unparalleled hardship on Nigerians.
The cleric pleaded with the federal government and security outfits to get more serious to prevent further slide of the country into economic and security woes.
He said: “We sincerely appeal to all tiers of government to intervene in the skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs in our dear country. There’s no point hiding the fact that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry, and angry.
“The hardship, insecurity, poverty, and unemployment in the country are such that no one can pacify anybody. What we are now experiencing is not what the president promised Nigerians.
“The president told us to put our minds to rest that the prices of things will come down. Unfortunately, nine months into the government, everyone is in pain.
“It has been from one trouble to another since May 29, 2023. While we appreciate the fact that the federal government is championing socioeconomic reforms, we would like to say that it has inflicted unparalleled hardship on Nigerians.
“The soaring cost of food has escalated the suffering of Nigerians and crime has greatly increased. Communities across the nation have fallen victim to criminals resulting in the loss of ancestral lands, economic calamities, and widespread insecurity.
“We plead with the federal government and security outfits to redouble their efforts.
“We are presently going through a lot and from all indications, it is only God that can assist us. Let us use this period of Lent to draw closer to God in fasting and prayers. May the good Lord deliver us.”
In his glowing tribute to the late Ondo governor, Aladekugbe remarked that courageous, tenacious, humourous, philanthropist, good singer, and staunch Anglican had been lost.
He noted that Akeredolu’s tenacity in the establishment of Amotekun cannot be forgotten same as his impact as governor of Ondo.
He urged the Akeredolu family, friends and associates to be consoled by the fact that the late Ondo governor had attained to a permanent heavenly abode of rest, a place devoid of all forms of physical pain and devastating crisis of life.
The church service also featured commendation prayer for the deceased, rendition of songs by several old associates of Akeredolu.
Aside from a plethora of clerics, also present at the service were Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State; his deputy, Olaide Adelami; former governors Kayode Fayemi and Donald Duke; former deputy governors, Iyiola Oladokun and Iyiola Omisore; Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG); Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Iyabo Yerima; Speaker, Ondo Assembly, Honourable Olajide Oladiji; former ministers, Olorunnimbe Mamora and Ademola Adegoroye; Oba Otudeko.
In her remarks on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Oyo SSG described the late Akeredolu as a sincere, factual man and one who spoke freely not minding whose ox was gored.
In his own tribute, Mr Ayodele Adigun who had been Akeredolu’s friend since 1969, lamented the loss of someone who was very loyal, very dependable, humorous, and not easy to forget.
On his part, a former minister of science and technology, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora described Akeredolu as a great man by any standard, a true, loyal friend, courageous, unafraid to say his mind in any circumstance, highly hilarious, and one who paid his dues in terms of service to community, state and the church.
