A Catholic priest in Nasarawa State, Reverend Father Godwin Apesuu, has called on federal government to take proactive steps to ameliorate the hardships Nigerians are currently facing.
He made the call during the 2024 Father’s Day celebration at Saint Michael Catholic Chaplaincy, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
According to him, while religious leaders would continue to offer prayers for the government, there is an urgent need for policy makers to translate their words into tangible actions that can ease the suffering of the population.
He said allocating more resources to address the ongoing hardships is essential to reducing the growing dissatisfaction and unrest among citizens.
The priest noted that the increasing pressure on men to meet their families’ daily needs due to the skyrocketing cost of basic goods is exacerbating tension and conflicts in the households.
In his lecture titled, “Owning and Operating a Business for Survival in the Current Economic Hardship,” Dr. Vincent Paul, a lecturer with the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies at Nasarawa State University, pointed out that many suicide cases involving men stem from frustrations over lack of resources to meet their families’ basic needs.
He urged men to avoid succumbing to desperation and anxiety, but rather think creatively and explore alternative means of livelihood in the face of increasing hardships.
Also speaking at the occasion, vice chairman of the Catholic Men Organization at Saint Michael Catholic Church, Mr. Alex Expu, appealed to both the state and federal governments to continue creating more opportunities for citizens, particularly civil servants.
He noted that the rising cost of living has rendered salaries insufficient, making skill acquisition essential for financial survival.
The event was aimed at helping members of the Catholic Men Organization (CMO) navigate the current economic climate by engaging in activities focused on economic survival and income generation.
It featured interactive sessions focused on launching small and medium-scale businesses as alternative sources of income for families.
