Hardship: Address insecurity, poor economic policies, ECWA tasks FG

The leadership of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA has frowned at the ongoing hardship being endured by Nigerians and called on the governments at all levels to put in place, appropriate measures to reduce the hardship of citizens.

The leadership through the ECWA President, Rev. Stephen Panya insisted that the harsh economic policies by the Federal Government which have no corresponding arrangements to cushion the effects of such policies were the reason that life is so difficult for Nigerians.

Rev. Panya who read a communique he signed alongside the ECWA General Secretary, Rev. Ayuba Asheshe at the end of the 71st General Church Council, GCC meeting of ECWA which was held in Jos from the 15th to 19th of April, 2024 also lamented the recent increase in the electricity tariff and ongoing insecurity which has paralyzed the activities of rural farmers and urged the Federal Government to checkmate insecurity so farmers can return to farms and produce food.

Among other things, he said, "The Council still expressed dismay and frowned at the high levels of insecurity in Nigeria through banditry, kidnappings for ransom, incessant killings of innocent citizens by unknown gunmen, destruction of lives and properties with impunity by terrorists, particularly Islamic extremists, across the nation. This has resulted in the continued disarray of the Nigerian nation and the near-total collapse of the economy thereby leaving Nigerians in hardship...

"The Council noted with immense concern the biting hunger among citizens as a result of a shortage of food supply due to persistent insecurity of all kinds that has paralyzed the activities of rural farmers. The Council urged the federal and state governments to urgently act decisively to put in measures that will checkmate the insecurity and ensure rural farmers resume their farming activities.

"The Council observed the harsh economic policies by the federal government which makes life difficult for Nigerians without corresponding dynamic arrangements to cushion the effect of such policies. The subsidy removal on petroleum products and an increase in electricity tariff have affected the cost of goods and services in the country. Therefore, the government should put in place appropriate mechanisms to reduce the hardship of the citizens."

The Council further asked that the governments at all levels fix the deplorable condition of public infrastructure in Nigeria for the social and physical benefit of the nation and urged urgent action against global warming saying, "The Council decried the increasing depletion of ozone layer resulting in the increase in temperature. With the increase in global warming, the changes have a serious impact on agriculture and food security, depleting resources in every part of the country and the world over, posing serious food security challenges in the face of the rapidly growing population."

Meanwhile, the GCC was attended by members of the ECWA Executive, ECWA BOT, Chairmen, Secretaries and delegates and others from the 94 District Church Councils and the Council elected 

Rev. Job Bagat as the new ECWA President following the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing President, Rev. Stephen Panya and also elected Rev. Sunday Congo as the new ECWA Assistant General Secretary. Elder Danjuma Haruna and Rev. Musa Gaiya were returned as Treasurer and Trustee Zone 5.