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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has called on Nigerians to exercise patience with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, assuring that ongoing reforms would yield long-term benefits for national prosperity.
He gave the charge in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, while addressing the second plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) yesterday.
The Senate president encouraged citizens not to lose faith despite the present challenges, stressing that the reforms being implemented were laying a solid foundation for the nation’s future.
“Let me seize this opportunity to urge my compatriots to be patient with your government as we lay again the foundations of this house. Do not despair when the winds blow strong or the scaffolding shakes,” Akpabio said.
According to him, nation-building is a gradual process requiring faith, sacrifice and collective commitment. He likened Nigeria’s rebirth to the building of a cathedral, “not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand.”
He further urged Nigerians to “renew hope in the Nigerian enterprise, believe again that our land can be great, that our children can inherit a future brighter than our present, and walk together, church and state, pulpit and parliament, faith and policy, towards the dawn.”
Similarly, the representative of President Tinubu at the event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reiterated the administration’s resolve to rebuild the economy and create inclusive growth.
“This administration came into office with a firm commitment to renew hope, strengthen our democratic institutions and build a Nigeria that works for all. We have taken bold steps to stabilise the economy, attract investment and implement reforms that will bring enduring benefits to our country,” Akume said, while urging the Church to continue its partnership with the government.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State commended the Catholic Church for its historic role in championing justice, democracy and people-centred policies. He noted that his government has rolled out several intervention programmes aimed at poverty reduction and improving the welfare of the vulnerable.
The conference was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio and representative of the Pope in Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, Catholic Bishops across the country, members of the National Assembly, political leaders and Catholic faithful from across Nigeria.
