Foursquare GO urges FG to tackle rising living costs

General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev Samuel Aboyeji

The General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev Sam Aboyeji, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the welfare of poor Nigerians and intensify efforts to reduce the cost of food, transportation and other necessities.

Speaking on the state of the nation on Monday at the 66th Nigeria Independence celebration, titled Foursquare Gospel Church 2026 Refreshing Dew, held at the Foursquare International Conference Centre in Orisunbare, Idimu, Lagos, Aboyeji noted that recent economic reforms had made life harder for many Nigerians, stressing that the welfare of the most vulnerable citizens should be the true measure of the country’s progress.

He said, “You are as strong as your weakest link. If we continue to look at the high and the mighty, we will not have a true reflection of what Nigeria is. Let’s look at the weakest of the weak, because that’s actually the true gauge of what Nigeria is.”

Aboyeji lauded the government for promising to introduce gas-powered and electric buses as part of measures to reduce transportation costs, noting that lower transport fares could also help bring down the prices of food and other commodities.

He cited farmers and traders who were sometimes forced to leave farm produce, including tomatoes, unsold because of the high cost of transporting them to major markets.

The cleric also advocated a broader application of the principle of derivation to Nigeria’s mineral resources, arguing that communities and states should benefit more directly from resources extracted from their areas.

According to him, nearly every part of the country possesses mineral or other economic resources that could contribute to development if properly harnessed.

Aboyeji further called for greater devolution of powers from the Federal Government to the states, saying a more decentralised system would encourage states and their leaders to develop their internally generated revenue and local economies.

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“If people know that if they don’t work, they will not eat, they will work harder. Their leaders will think. That’s what I believe,” he said.

The Foursquare leader also backed state police as part of efforts to improve security and governance, arguing that Nigeria’s size and diversity required greater autonomy and responsiveness at the sub-national level.

Aboyeji urged citizens not to lose hope, expressing optimism that the country would eventually realise its potential.

He referenced Jeremiah 29:10, which speaks of 70 years, saying he looked forward to Nigeria’s 70th anniversary with hope that longstanding prophecies concerning the nation would be fulfilled.

Also, the Chairman of the 2026 Refreshing Dew, Rev. Friday Obende, encouraged Nigerians to remain patient, noting that the promises of God concerning the country were sure.

Obende also called on leaders to concentrate on helping the poor masses, expressing confidence that Nigeria would become great again.