Seek comfort of citizens, reverse fuel, electricity tariff hike, Bishop tells Buhari

…As Sonwo-olu makes first appearance in church…

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

President Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to seek at this trying time things that would bring comfort to his citizens rather than inflicting sorrow on them by reversing the recent increase in fuel and electricity tariff hike announced.

The call was made by the Anglican Bishop of Lagos, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Olumakaiye, at the official opening of the Second session of the 34th  Synod  of the Diocese held at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The president he said should not allow himself to be ill-advised on things that would mostly affect the welfare of the masses.

He stated; “Truth be told, fuel and electricity are the essential palliatives that can go round without being shortchanged. We should bear in mind that increase in electricity tariff and fuel price now will definitely tell on other commodities and the poor masses are always at the receiving end.

The bishop reminded the government that this kind of untold hardship was not the promise made by the present government during electioneering and takeover of government.

“At a time like this, putting manifestos aside, the government should seek the comfort of all citizens. Truth be told, fuel and electricity are the essential palliatives that can go round without

being shortchanged. We should bear in mind that increase in electricity tariff and fuel price will definitely tell on other commodities and the poor masses are always at the receiving end.

“The poor masses should be able to find solace in the government now and not otherwise.  Government should aim at reducing burdens now and not increasing them.  It baffles me that a whole nation like ours is finding it hard to fix our refineries, when a single individual is building one, yet we keep wasting billions of naira on many other things; so much that it becomes easy for some people to pocket”, Olumakaiye stated.

The Bishop frowned at the worrisome security challenges,  the surge being witnessed in the area of terrorist attacks, kidnapping and fresh gales of banditry across the nation, which he said has badly threatened general safety of lives and properties of the citizenry.

He advised government to rise to the occasion, and stamp out criminalities and stop criminals from ravaging the land, pointing out that when government is not performing, as regards to her constitutional responsibility of securing lives and properties of citizens, the citizens will resort to  alternative personal security means for their.

Speaking at the Synod, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanked God for affording him the opportunity to be in his sanctuary for the first time in over six months since the lockdown imposed to mitigate the effect of the novel coronavirus in the country started in March.

Sonwo-Olu

Sonwo-Olu thanked God for sparing his life and millions of Lagosians, especially members of the Diocese of Lagos to witness this year’s Synod even as Lagos State continues to see a reduction in the numbers of confirmed cases of coronavirus.

He called on Nigerians, especially Christians to pray to God, serve and do their best for the growth of their respective faith, State and the nation at large, stressing that COVID-19 has shown in reality that people need to pray and therefore implored the people of Lagos State to continue to pray.

He stated that in reference to the Synod theme “Pray, Serve and Grow” and the scripture, Romans 12:11 he said was apt because for all to build a ‘Greater Lagos’ there is need for people to pray to God, serve and do their best for growth of the State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who started his Goodwill Message with a songs and appreciation to God, said: “Following the rude, unexpected and difficult events of COVID –19 which we have all witnessed in Year 2020 beginning from early December 2019, in Wuhan city of China, there cannot be better befitting theme for our Synod than to “Pray, Serve and Grow (Romans 12:11 says ‘not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord “We are to pray in order to acknowledge our limitations as human beings because God remains sovereign. He remains the Supreme God; He knows it all and he is in charge of all circumstances we human beings might face.

“Service to the Lord is serving one another; it is about loving one another, supporting one another. Serving the Lord is serving one another in active ingredients of the work of our faith, which without one another, we are all dead as said in James 2:17 ‘Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.’

“It is therefore pertinent to say that we can surely grow spiritually and in every wise, when we pray and serve the Lord. As we begin to regain our lives again as a Church, State and nation, the best way possible for us is to stand on our feet and to stand resolute in faith and believing that God is always with us.”

The governor commended all the frontline workers for their readiness to serve the State passionately during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Service in the context of the times we are in and in line with Apostle Paul’s admonition to the Romans to serve eagerly and earnestly is being exemplified by our frontline health workers who have remained steadfast in offering selfless service even at the risk of their lives and those of their families,” he said.

Sonwo-Olu also commended religious leaders in Lagos State, especially the Diocese of Lagos for their support and cooperation in ensuring strict adherence to the directive of the State government in respect of COVID 19 pandemic.

He stated that despite over 18,000 people testing positive to coronavirus infection, the State recorded less than two per cent fatality.

He therefore commiserated and sympathised with the families, congregation, friends and people of all faiths and tribes that lost their loved ones during the pandemic.

He noted that, “Anglican Communion, especially the Diocese of Lagos is a church with foresight and a pacesetter in holistic evangelism.” He expressed his gratitude to the good works of the Diocesan and Missioner of Diocese of Lagos, The Rt. Rev Humphrey Olumakaiye and promised to contribute his quota to the ongoing Centenary City project of the diocese as a member.