Anglican Bishops worry over insecurity, hunger, high cost of living

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja 

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 measures 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, Diocese of Remo, Ogun State.

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 different parts of the country.

While commending the Federal Government for recent gains, including the rescue of kidnapped persons, particularly schoolchildren and their teachers in some states, and the deployment of forest guards, the Church said government at all levels needed to do more to protect citizens.

It called for greater use of intelligence gathering, effective coverage of ungoverned spaces and the recovery of territories under the control of terrorists, stressing the need for authorities to become proactive rather than reactive in tackling insecurity.

The Synod also raised concerns over what it described as Nigeria’s deepening food crisis, noting 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 single-digit loans to farmers and ensure transparent subsidies for agricultural inputs.

The Church further called for measures to reduce post-harvest losses, modernise grazing, expand fisheries and improve food storage, while advocating the establishment of a transparent Agriculture Trust Fund.

On the economy, the Synod noted what it described as modest improvement, but expressed concern over persistent inflation, unemployment, weak electricity supply and rising fuel prices.

It said the challenges had severely reduced household purchasing power and increased the cost of transportation, food and other basic necessities.