Let Nigerians Breathe In 2024, Lagos Catholic Archbishop Urges Federal, State Governments

Alfred Martins, the Catholic archbishop of Lagos, has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and other state governments to make the lives of Nigerians easier in the new year, given the hardships people had to endure last year in the form of fuel subsidy removal and demonetization.

Martins also referred to the controversies around the election and the hardship faced by Nigerians due to high prices of essential commodities, including food and fuel.

"The increase in the pump price of petroleum products and the drastic loss in the value of the naira, among other factors, have grossly affected the purchasing power of most Nigerians who are finding it increasingly difficult to survive," Martins said, Premium Times reported.

"This alongside insecurity in the country has pushed the best brains in the country to yield to the Japa syndrome. Those of us who remain are struggling to breathe, as they say. This is unacceptable," he added.

He urged federal and state governments to focus on policies that would make citizens' lives easier and help to "rejig the economy and bring solace to the impoverished masses."

"Oftentimes, political expediency and patronage militate against even good policies," he said, noting that if President Tinubu wants to write his name in golden words, then he must use all his resources to help Nigerians.

"Not allow politics and political expediency to stand in the way of the common good and the welfare of the majority," he added. "All that Nigerians are asking for are policies that would bring down the high cost of foodstuff, reduce transportation costs, and provide gainful employment for the jobless, especially the youths."

The archbishop urged Tinubu, state governors and lawmakers to lead by example by cutting down on the high cost of governance. He pointed out that lavish spending on official vehicles and excessive delegations at international meetings are areas for improvement.

Nigerians have been going through a tough time, especially after the Tinubu administration removed the fuel subsidy on May 29, which increased fuel and food prices across the country. The decision was made when the country was already reeling under the impact of demonetization.

Last month, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) asked the federal government to pay the N35,000 provisional wage award as promised during a meeting held after the fuel subsidy removal.