Fr Abraham Chukwuma Nwali, Chairman, Southeast CAN.
By Victor Nwegede Abakaliki.
The Priest who observed this while celebrating his 30th anniversary of ordination at Saint Paul's Parish, Catholic Church of Abakaliki Diocese, expressed concern over the rising economic hardship, resulting in nationwide protests; and losses of lives and properties in the country.
Nwali, the national member of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria further expressed pity that Nigerians have continued facing hunger and insecurity, and attributed the causes to leadership challenges in the country.
Nwali however, urged Nigerians to understand that leadership is all about challenges, and therefore, called for more support for Tinubu's government to surmount them, noting that he has offered five solutions to rescue the country from its current socio-economic predicaments.
He advised the Federal government to address the country's challenges by providing social security, health insurance, embarking on an infrastructure revolution, and massive employment, and that the security should be in the hands of the people.
His words: "Leadership is all of a challenge and all I'm asking is that they should be by the side of the President because Nigeria is in a serious challenge. I offered five solutions and if the federal government should practice the five solutions and have any challenge, they should hold me.
"One is social security. The whole world is on social security. We must have a stipend to give everybody in this country. It is because a country without social security cannot contain the bandits, the poor, and the vulnerable ones. I mentioned it in Aso-Rock. I mentioned it before the Pro-Chancellors and I also mentioned it among men of God.
"Two is health insurance. People are dying and decaying even for ordinary diseases, that would be cured in terms of medical care. Until Nigeria begins to have either comprehensive or primary health care, by the way of offering health services, we will not do anything about it.
"Number three is infrastructural development. Infrastructure development means conception. We don't need palliatives, business coverage means intimidation. Those who use raw language said, dash them peanut that they may shut their mouths. Instead of the palliatives, reduce the oil subsidy, reduce the tariff, provide the food, get the people completely built and employ them, and Nigeria will be well again.
"Next is the issue of the security system, this is everybody's concern. I reminded them that very soon, nobody will be going to his village, they will do the enumeration of those who are doing well and tell you how much to pay them or prepare to be exterminated.
"All we need to enjoy this life in the country is to build a company to engage them because Nigeria is full of gross, grave, and incapacitated youths with no future. After all, our leaders have refused to engage them.
"Again, about our security everybody is concerned. All expected from the southeast governors is to give them a mandate, our forests should be cleared to have a true vision. Our traditional rulers, the village heads, the youths, and our people should be in charge, let our people be in charge of their security.
"The government should pay them a stipend, to go to the bush; and give the forest guards licenses and AK47s, to flush the idiots, and our forest will be safe. Before you pamper and hit a child and tell him not to cry, it's like a hundred-degree centigrade of boiled water where you said, no noise, be calm, and you still hear buhm-buhm-buhm!"
"Either to tell you that we are hot, and you need oxygen or carbon dioxide. The best Nigeria can do and see the youths pacify is to have social security, health insurance, infrastructure revolution, and most importantly employment, employment, employment, and security should be in the hands of the people. In any village we hear about kidnapping, the government should surround the villagers to threaten them and make sure there is peace. More importantly, find our young last something to do, ensure they have food on the table, low cost of tariffs, low cost of fuel, and everything will return to normal."
