Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has thrown his weight behind calls for the federal and States governments to review minimum wage.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Primate Ndukuba to have said review of the minimum wage has become very necessary in view of the hyper inflation and general harsh economic environment.
While commending President Bola Tinubu’s efforts toward fixing the country, Ndukuba urged the federal and States government to accede to the request of organised labour for increase in minimum wage to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The Primate, who said these in an address delivered to the second session of the 12th Synod organised by the Diocese of Abuja, identified the economy as one challenging area the President was striving to fix.
TNG reports the 12th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja was held at the Basilica of Grace, Gudu, with the theme: “By This Time Tomorrow: Breaking the Siege upon the Nation” and text taken from 2 Kings 7:1, 6-7.
The Synod is the highest decision-making body of an Anglican Diocese. It is held every year with the Bishop presiding.
Synod of the Church of Nigeria is a platform for prayer, discussion of Church and national issues, decision-making, accountability, among others.
TNG reports the theme of the 12th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja focused on breakthrough, deliverance, belief and strong faith in God
Primate Ndukuba said that the country’s economy was in a bad shape with the ordinary citizens feeling the pain on a daily basis.
He added that Tinubu needed strong recommendations from his Economic Policy Planners and Think-Tank in his drive to get Nigerians out of the current situation.
The Anglican Primate also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for his visible developmental efforts that had ensured the completion of some infrastructural projects in the FCT.
He commended the Federal Government for renovating public schools and giving special attention to rural communities, adding that the collaboration with community leaders to achieve peace was also commendable.
“The efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and his team to stabilise the exchange rate are also commendable.
“Going forward, there is still a need to address some other factors that are contributing to the adverse economic conditions in Nigeria.
“In all, it has been an eventful first year of President Tinubu in office,” he said.
According to him, continuous borrowing contributes to inflationary pressure on the economy, adding that when government injects more money into circulation, it drives up prices which lead to a high cost of living for ordinary citizens.
He further maintained that the recent fuel scarcity and increase in the tariff on power were making life more difficult for the citizens.
“We support organised Labour’s demand that the Federal and State governments should intervene through the relevant ministries to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“The review of the minimum wages of Nigerians is very necessary in view of the hyper inflation and general harsh economic environment,” he added.
On food security, the Primate said that Nigeria was blessed with lots of natural resources, adding that its citizens were enterprising and hardworking.
He advised government to ensure that no Nigerian is left hungry or be unsure of food for its family.
“Food security is vital to the overall growth and stability in the country. So, our leaders must address the issue of insecurity because the challenge the citizens face concerning hunger and starvation is alarming.
Primate Ndukuba, however, said that the Church’s theme for the 2024 Synod was a message of hope and demonstration of the power of God to bring divine help in an overwhelming political and socio-economic misery.
“We need the word and divine intervention in our nation, Nigeria. We speak healing and restoration into the Nigeria situation. This siege must be broken, and total restoration shall come to Nigeria.”
Former Archbishop of Abuja Province and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Nicholas Okoh, in his goodwill message, urged Nigerians to join hands in praying for the actualisation of God’s intervention in the country.
He emphasised that the prophesy delivered by the Primate took a lot of courage and prayed for God’s intervention on His children and the country.
“When the people were suffering in Egypt, they were with the belief that a deliverer is coming to rescue them, which is the message that has just been delivered today.
“We are all anxiously waiting for these transformations in our country for the sake of our children who have no other country except Nigeria.
“Therefore, join your hands in prayer and join your hands in everything good for the actualisation of what God is doing,” Okoh said.