The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to make all federal government tertiary institutions tuition-free in order to alleviate the hardship created by the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
Rev. Stephen Panya, President of ECWA, made the call to Tinubu on Thursday during a news conference to promote the church concert and convention in Lagos.
While applauding Tinubu for the restoration of the naira’s value, Panya stated that measures must be put in place to alleviate the current burden on Nigerians.
He said, “The current effort to revamp the economy, especially the restoration of the value of the naira, is commendable.
“However, immediate and far-reaching intervention measures are necessary to mitigate the current hardships for Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.
“This has already exacerbated the high rates of inflation, unemployment, and multi-dimensional poverty.
“There is a need to significantly increase the wages of workers and make all Federal Government tertiary institutions tuition-free, while other medium- and long-term plans are being worked out.”
Furthermore, he stated that the Tinubu must prioritize responsible fiscal management.
“This involves cutting unnecessary expenses, enhancing revenue collection, and implementing targeted subsidies and social safety nets for vulnerable groups through the re-invigorated national social investment program.
“The 1999 Constitution, as amended, has unequivocally affirmed the status of Nigeria as a secular, united, and indivisible country.
“This is in recognition of the multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural configuration of the country.
“Unfortunately, over the years, this country has been deeply fractured along ethnic, regional, and religious lines and is thus desperately in need of healing,” he said.
He stated that Tinubu’s administration must therefore work assiduously to unite the nation and ensure national cohesion and integration.
“To actualize this, the administration must build bridges across all divides, promote inclusiveness, ensure equitable distribution of democracy dividends, abolish discriminatory policies, and give every segment of Nigerian society a sense of belonging.
“This is why the 1999 Constitution made provision for the federal character principle,” he said.
He admonished all Nigerians to appropriate the love of God for one another.
“Nigeria is not an accident of history but the product of God’s divine providence.
“God brought us together from diverse backgrounds so we could appreciate and cherish our common humanity.
“Let us all work together to translate our diversities into strength, progress, and development.
“As Christians, we shall continue to obey the command of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to live in peace with everyone,” he said.
