The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, has expressed concern over hunger poverty among millions of Nigerians.
In a communique issued at the end of its meeting held on Wednesday in Kaduna, the Christian body, said the raising prices of food stuffs and other essential commodities has made life difficult for ordinary Nigerians.
The communique which was jointly signed by Rev. Yakubu Pam and Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman and Secretary General of the association respectively, said prices of essential commodities are on the increase almost on a daily basis and urged governments at all levels to address the situation.
The communique said, “There is hunger and poverty in the land: Our weak economy has thrown millions of Nigerians into abject poverty and hunger. Life is becoming a living hell to many Nigerians as they struggle to make ends meet.
“Almost on a daily basis, prices of food and essential items are on the increase. Many families can barely get one square meal in a day.
“There is no denying the fact that there is poverty and hunger in the land. The reality on the ground is evident for all to see.
“Poverty and hunger affects all spheres of life. It fuels criminality and crime; it affects education; it affects quality healthcare. Hunger affects citizens political choices.
“Already those who mismanaged the economy are using hunger as a weapon as the 2023 general election approaches .
“We call on governments at all levels to address the problem of poverty and hunger in Nigeria.”
The association called on Nigerians to ensure that the 2023 elections are conducted under peaceful atmosphere without rancour, stressing that “election is not war and no politician is worth dying for…”
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible.
Northern CAN also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to do everything possible to ensure peaceful transition at the end of his tenure in 2023.
The communique urged, political actors to play politics according to the rules devoid of rancour, adding that “party leaders, flag bearers, party members, supporters and fans must conduct themselves with decorum and focus their campaigns on how they intend to address the myriads of problems bedeviling the country.”
It urged the youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence by any politicians.
“Note that the children of some of these politicians who recruit the youths as thugs, are schooling abroad.
“Parents should caution their children against being recruited as Hooligans by politicians”, the communique said.
The group lamented the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and “appealed to the union and the federal government to resolve their differences in the best interest of the nation and the future of our children.“
Also commenting on the security situation in the country, the association commended the military and other security agencies on the ongoing onslaught on bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements unleashing mayhem on Nigerians, especially, in the north.
It expressed happiness over the release of the remaining 23 abducted passengers of the March 28, Abuja – Kaduna train attack.
The group however, called on the security agencies to intensify action against the criminals as several people.
The communique said, “In some communities, bandits demand for millions of naira from the villagers before they are allowed to access their farms.
“We called on the federal government to take more drastic action on the criminals”.
John Shiklam
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