The Clergy of a non-governmental organisation, Open Arms of Christ International (OPAC) based in the United Kingdom (UK), has asked Nigerians to inculcate the habit of giving to the needy and vulnerable members of society.
The NGO also urged Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to address the current economic crisis plaguing the nation before it leads to casualties on the streets.
The organisation made the appeal in a statement issued by Reverend Clergy of the Church; Reverend Dr. Roselynn Wall, on behalf of the church at the weekend in Abuja.
She said there was a need to show love to the less-privileged people and put a smile on their faces considering the harrowing economic hardship they are facing.
Reverend Roselynn called on critical stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to give and share from the little they have to the needy for the society to be a happy place to live. She said the time to lend helping hands to the vulnerable people in Nigeria is now, adding that many families were going through a lot considering current economic realities in the country.
The statement emphasised the critical need for immediate action from faith-based organisations, individuals and government to alleviate the escalating hardship in the country, citing its unbearable effects on the populace.
While highlighting the exorbitant rise in the prices of essential goods and commodities, the OPAC Reverend stressed the need for swift adjustments to mitigate the prevailing hardship.
The statement read in part: “With the situation and what people are passing through in the country this is time for the people particularly Christians and Muslims to support the act of charity at all times.
“The rising inflation and cost of living in the country has subjected many to chronic poverty and hunger. The situation has also rendered many people homeless.
“Some families can’t feed well; parents can’t pay school fees for their children or provide the needed care for their families. Insecurity in many parts of the country has made the situation worse as nobody can sleep with two eyes closed.”
The statement noted that the condition of the less-privileged and vulnerable should be prioritized by organizations, celebrities and indeed all Nigerians because of the precarious situation of the economy.
“The little we give will go a long way to ameliorate the sufferings of a vast majority of those who don’t have any means at all.
“Statistics show that over two million Children in the world die annually as a result of starvation.
“Recent report also revealed that in the nearest future, if nothing is done, over eight million people in the Northern part of Nigeria will die of hunger,’’ the statement added.
Reverend Rosie said OPAC is a non-denominational Church that believes in reaching out to empower individuals to be all that they can be in Christ and in life.
OPAC has displayed exemplary pace setting in this regard when the organisation held a non-religious outreach event in Masaka, near FCTbAbuja in 2023 where widows and less-privileged people were supported with cash donations and empowered with vocational skills.
At the end of the event, Reverend Rosie and fellow ministers at the event, urged everyone to find salvation in Christ to live in favour and discover their full potential through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The OPAC Reverend, therefore, called for support as the group cannot do it alone. OPAC’s appeal includes a fundraising for the poor widows, widowers, small business support, women, children and all families living in hardship and abject poverty.
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