The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation, food crisis and rising cost of living in the country, urging the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and ease economic hardship.
The Church made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its 15th General Synod held at Our Saviour’s Church, Ikenne, in the Diocese of Remo, Ogun State, reports The Sun.
The Synod, presided over by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, said banditry, kidnapping and killings continued unabated in various parts of the country.
While commending the Federal Government for what it described as recent gains, including the rescue of kidnapped persons, particularly schoolchildren and their teachers in some states, as well as the deployment of forest guards, the Church said government at all levels needed to do more to protect citizens.
The Anglican leaders called for greater use of intelligence gathering, effective surveillance of ungoverned spaces and the recovery of territories under the control of terrorists.
They stressed that authorities must adopt a more proactive approach to tackling insecurity rather than continually responding after attacks had occurred.
The Synod also raised concerns over what it described as Nigeria’s deepening food crisis, warning that conflict, climate change, high farming costs and inflation were threatening agricultural production and food security.
It urged the government to restore security on farms, invest substantially in mechanised agriculture, provide farmers with single-digit interest loans and ensure transparency in the distribution of agricultural input subsidies.
The Church further called for measures to reduce post-harvest losses, modernise grazing practices, expand fisheries and improve food storage facilities.
It also advocated the establishment of a transparent Agriculture Trust Fund to support sustainable food production.
On the economy, the Synod acknowledged what it described as modest improvement but expressed concern over persistent inflation, unemployment, inadequate electricity supply and rising fuel prices.
It said the challenges had significantly eroded household purchasing power while driving up the cost of transportation, food and other basic necessities.
The Anglican leaders therefore urged the government to intensify economic measures capable of translating reforms into tangible relief for Nigerians, particularly vulnerable households.
