The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to make all the Federal Government tertiary institutions tuition-free to mitigate hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal in the country.
The ECWA president, Rev. Stephen Panya, made the appeal at a news conference to announce the church concert and convention in Lagos from Nov. 9 to 12.
While commending Tinubu over the restoration of the value of naira, Panya said measures must be put in place to mitigate the current hardship on Nigerians.
āThe current effort to revamp the economy, especially the restoration of the value of the naira, is commendable.
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āHowever, immediate and far-reaching intervention measures are necessary to mitigate the current hardships on Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira.
āThis has already exacerbated the high rates of inflation, unemployment and multi-dimensional poverty.
āThere 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,ā he said.
He added that the government must priorities responsible fiscal management.
āThis 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 programme.
āThe 1999 Constitution as amended, has unequivocally affirmed the status of Nigeria as a secular, united and indivisible country.
āThis is in recognition of the multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural configuration of the country.
āUnfortunately, over the years, this country has been deeply fractured along ethnic, regional and religious lines, and is thus desperately in need of healing,ā he said.
He said the administration of President Tinubu must therefore work assiduously to unite the nation and ensure national cohesion and integration.
āTo 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.
āThis is why the 1999 Constitution made provision for the federal character principle,ā he said.
He admonished all Nigerians to appropriate the love of God to one another.
āNigeria is not an accident of history but the product of Godās divine providence.
āGod brought us together from diverse backgrounds so we can appreciate and cherish our common humanity.
āLet us all work together to translate our diversities into strength, progress and development.
āAs Christians, we shall continue to obey the command of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to live in peace with everyone,ā he said.
NAN