The Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, has expressed concern that the country’s economic crisis has hindered Christians from attending services and making donations in churches.
He made the statement while presenting the 1st Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, in Ibadan over the weekend.
The Bishop said that the difficulty had prompted a priest to contact President Bola Tinubu and request that he save people from the economic crisis.
Speaking on the sermon titled “The faith once delivered to the saints in the context of contemporary socio-economic challenges,” held at the Otunba Subomi Balogun Conference Centre, UI, the Bishop said, “The present economic hardship resulting from the removal of the fuel subsidy is also having its effects on the Christians in Nigeria, as many families could no longer attend church services, and some of those who manage to attend church services have no money for offerings and other contributions in the church.
“It must be noted that Christians nationwide, along with the adherents of other faiths, are under economic pressure. This situation has forced a cleric to call on President Tinubu during the burial of Rotimi Akeredolu, the late governor of Ondo State, by saying, ‘You said it’s your turn; now save Nigerians from hunger.’.”
Aladekugbe, who also doubles as the Bishop of Ibadan North (Anglican) Diocese, said, “In Nigeria, in the past, people had demonstrated against unfriendly policy bringing a bad economy; it is not different today, as groups of people have demonstrated from time to time to show their annoyance at the present economic policy of the government.
“Till now, people are taking to the streets to demonstrate; perhaps the government will change her policy. This time around, the series of demonstrations have failed as high costs of all things in the market persist. Nigerians call on President Tinubu to end hunger and hardship.
“Groups, associations, clubs, traditional rulers, clerics, and the general populace have been groaning under the economic policy of the present regime. There is no point hiding the fact that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry and angry.
“The hardship, insecurity, poverty, and unemployment in the country are such that no one can pacify anybody. The socio-economic reforms of the federal government have inflicted unparalleled hardship on Nigerians. The soaring cost of food has escalated the suffering of Nigerians, and crime has greatly increased.
“It has been observed that the present situation has become unbearable for Nigerians. People in different locations of the country are lamenting and discussing the future of Nigeria’s political structure as a result of present economic woes on social media, in the streets, and in clubhouses; voices are being heard that the fate of a common man has been affected. Some people are saying, ‘God, where are you?’.
“The clergy and the ministers of God have more to do at a time like this to save people from depression, loss of hope, and probably from suicide. Lectures, sermons, and teachings should be intensified to keep the faith of the Christians alive so that they can triumph over this period, which is believed to be for a short period.”
He emphasised that people experience various types of dread depending on their current condition but cautioned that trust should be developed as a step towards inviting God’s divine assistance.
The Bishop said, “In the Nigeria of today, the people’s religious lives are characterised by fear of the enemies, fear of tomorrow, fear of the unknown, fear of poverty, and fear of what has not happened but has been imagined; all these seem unsolvable to the people because of the absence of faith.
“Looking at the myriad of problems confronting Christians today, these problems cannot be solved through fear.
“In response to the fear in the society, we emphasised faith as a major solution to human problems. God should remain a reference point to everyone who desires a practical solution to the problems of life.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")