-
Senate President Akpabio and SGF Akume call for patience with President Tinubu’s government on economic reform.
-
Officials stress that current hardships will yield long-term prosperity
-
Catholic Bishops Conference hosts the dialogue with federal and state leaders
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, have appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He assured that the economic and political reforms currently causing hardship are part of a broader strategy to restore national prosperity.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The appeal, disclosed in a statement on Sunday by Anietie Ekong, Special Assistant on Media/Communication to the Senate President, comes amid rising concerns over poverty, fuel price surges, and inflation.
Since May 29, 2023, when the federal government ended fuel subsidies, petrol prices have more than tripled, food inflation surpassed 35%, and the naira has remained volatile against the dollar.
READ ALSO: Akpabio Returns From London, Dispels Health Rumours
Speaking at the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio acknowledged the economic turbulence but likened national reconstruction to building a cathedral: a process requiring time, sacrifice, and resilience.
“Do not despair when the winds blow strongly or the scaffolding shakes. A nation is like a mighty cathedral — it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand,” Akpabio said.
He urged Nigerians to “renew hope in the Nigerian enterprise” and work together across faith and policy to secure a brighter future for the nation.
Senator Akume, representing President Tinubu at the event, reaffirmed that the administration is committed to stabilising the economy, attracting investment, and implementing reforms that will produce enduring benefits.
He called on the Church to continue supporting government initiatives, highlighting Tinubu’s social investment programmes aimed at leaving no Nigerian behind.
READ ALSO: SERAP Warns Akpabio Against Blocking Senator Natasha’s Resumption
Also attending, Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno commended the Catholic Church for its global advocacy for justice and democracy and emphasised his administration’s efforts to alleviate poverty and improve welfare for vulnerable populations.
The plenary, attended by the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, Catholic bishops from across Nigeria, federal lawmakers, state officials, and hundreds of worshippers, provided a platform for political leaders to seek the Church’s backing during one of the country’s most challenging economic transitions in decades.
