Nigeria @66: CAN demands lower food, transport costs

The Christian Association of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to prioritise reductions in the cost of food, transportation and energy as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

It also asked the government to strengthen social protection and improve security, saying the benefits of economic reforms must translate into better living conditions for citizens.

CAN said Nigerians who had endured years of economic pressure deserved to begin experiencing meaningful relief in their daily lives.

The association made the call in a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Thursday.

CAN said that while it welcomed the transition from economic reforms to an era of prosperity, the success of the reforms should be measured by their impact on ordinary Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu had, during his broadcast to Nigerians to mark the Independence Day anniversary, on Thursday, declared that Nigeria is now in the era of prosperity, having endured the tortuous reforms.

Speaking on the development, CAN said, “We welcome the shift from an era of economic reforms to an era of prosperity. But the true test of progress is not in statistics alone. It is whether families can afford food, young people can find decent work, communities can live in safety, and every child has a fair opportunity to build a future.”

The Christian body urged the government to “make lower food, transport and energy costs a measurable priority.”

“Nigerians who have endured years of economic pressure deserve to begin seeing meaningful relief in their daily lives,” CAN added.

Archbishop Okoh also called for stronger social protection for vulnerable Nigerians, including support for education, healthcare and affordable credit.

According to the association, such interventions must be transparently administered and protected from diversion.

“Prosperity that does not reach the ordinary Nigerian home remains incomplete,” CAN said.

On insecurity, the CAN President said economic prosperity would remain difficult to achieve where citizens “cannot farm, trade, travel or sleep peacefully because of fear.”

He, therefore, urged the government to sustain efforts to protect lives, secure communities and restore confidence across the country.

With the 2027 political season approaching, the association also cautioned politicians against exploiting religion for partisan purposes.

“CAN again reminds all political actors that no politician is the Messiah,” it said, adding that Christians were free to support or criticise any candidate.

The association warned against dragging the name of Jesus Christ into partisan rivalry or using it as a political weapon.

CAN reaffirmed its commitment to its role as a non-partisan moral voice, saying it would continue to commend what is right, speak when citizens are hurting and hold leaders to the values of justice, accountability and compassion.

The association congratulated Nigerians on the 66th Independence anniversary and called for a new phase in which the promise of prosperity would translate into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.

Meanwhile, the Borno State CAN chairman, Most Revd John Bakeni, has said religious leaders are part of Nigeria’s problem since independence, warning that the failure of pastors and Imams to speak truth to power may continue to hinder the nation’s development.

Bakeni stated this in Maiduguri at an Independence Day celebration event organised as part of activities to commemorate “CAN at 50.”

Addressing newsmen shortly after the event, he said many religious leaders had exchanged their religious garments for political garments, warning that such a trend could affect the general well-being of society.

He said, “Sorry to say this; in some cases, we are part of the problem of Nigeria. Many of us religious leaders today, both Christian and Muslim leaders, have removed our garments of ordination and put on political garments.”

The cleric said religious leaders must see themselves as vanguards of truth who bear the responsibility of speaking out when things are going wrong in society.

“Whether as imams or as bishops, we are vanguards of truth and justice. When we see things going the wrong way, it is a moral obligation on our shoulders to speak to those in authority, especially those who make our policies and laws, to call their attention to these realities, so that the common good will be sustained and the resources of the land will be distributed equitably to all citizens,” he said.

Bakeni noted that this year’s Independence Day anniversary presented a sober celebration, following the severe hardship and insecurity in the country.

He called on the government to make policies that would alleviate the suffering and the hardship of the Nigerian people.

“There is no need being in place as a government if your subjects are going to face hardship and poverty. We have the resources and wealth to cater for our people, but the problem is the management,” he stressed.

On the 2027 elections, the CAN Chairman urged Nigerians to vote for candidates based on their personal assessment without waiting for anyone to direct them on who to vote for.

“We have tested them (politicians), so you don’t need anybody to tell you who to elect.

“You have the strongest weapon, which is your voters card in your hands as citizens, and that is what you should use to bring in leaders who will deliver the dividends of democracy and ensure that citizens live worthy lives,” he stated.