Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on Nigerians to exercise patience with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying that the current reforms will soon deliver economic growth and prosperity.
Akpabio made the call in his opening address as the Chairman of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, which was held in Akwa Ibom.
In a statement, Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media/Communication Anietie Ekong quoted Senator Akpabio as urging Nigerians not to be discouraged by their current situation but to look forward to a brighter future.
According to Akpabio, “Let me seize this opportunity to urge my compatriots to be patient with your government as we lay the foundations of this house again. Do not despair when the winds blow strong or the scaffolding shakes.
“For a nation is like a mighty cathedral—it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31).
“Let us therefore renew hope in the Nigerian enterprise. Let us believe again that our land can be great and that our children can inherit a brighter future than our present. Let us bind the wounds of division, banish the cynicism of despair, and walk together—Church and State, pulpit and parliament, faith and policy—towards the dawn.
“Transformation is not the burden of one arm of society, nor the privilege of a select few. It is a covenant of partnership. As St. Paul declares: ‘We are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, said the administration was working towards building a country that works for everyone.
“This administration came into office with a firm commitment to renew hope, strengthen our democratic institutions and build a Nigeria that works for all. We have taken bold steps to stabilise the economy, attract investment and implement reforms that will bring enduring benefits to our country.”
He urged the Church to support the government and assured the Tinubu administration would leave no one behind through its social investment programmes.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno said the Catholic Church has played key roles all over the world in fighting injustice, enthroning democratic governance, and placing the welfare of the people at the centre of its policies.
He said his administration has invested heavily in lifting people out of poverty, especially the poor and vulnerable, and improving their living conditions.
He enumerated several intervention programmes initiated by the government.
He called for the Church’s continued support in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
The conference included the Apostolic Nuncio and representative of the Pope, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, Catholic Bishops from all over Nigeria and other Catholic faithful, members of the National Assembly, politicians, and worshippers from all parts of the country.
