From Jimoh Ahmed, Owo

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Unless urgent and effective steps are taken to curtail the effects of the current economic situation in the country, Nigeria may witness an uncontrollable rise in crime.

The Diocesan Bishop of Owo, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Rt Revd (Dr) Ayodeji Fagbemi, declared this in his charge delivered to the third session of the 14th Synod of the Church held at St. Stephen’s Church, Ipele, Owo Local Government.

Rt. Revd Fagbemi posited that Nigeria has become “a harder place to live in,” as evidenced by the fact that many people are leaving the country for greener pastures, often finding themselves in difficult situations where they fled.

While noting that the economic situation is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, Dr Fagbemi clarified that advanced countries can withstand it as a result of long-term economic policies.

According to him, those countries help their citizens cope by providing incentives, jobs, and dynamic government policies that are mindful of the people’s plight.

The Bishop stated that the situation in Nigeria is quite the opposite. “Despite the economic quagmire, Nigeria continues to borrow while the political class is not undergoing any serious economic adjustment, with their monthly take-home being humongous, which is a shameless disregard for the plight of the electorate.”

Commenting on the new minimum wage, Bishop Fagbemi, who agreed with a decent salary for workers, said a huge one will not solve the current economic problem but will complicate the already weak and complex economy of the country.

He, therefore, called on the government to step in to control the prices of commodities, stating that only when market prices are stable can inflation be controlled.

While commending the government for its commitment to making the refineries work, the Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese called for them to be made fully functional. He urged President Tinubu and his economic team to work harder at diversifying the economy.

Similarly, he wants the government to do more on security as most farmers still cannot go to their farms for fear of being kidnapped. He particularly mentioned Owo and Ifon areas of Ondo State where kidnapping is still a threat to the people.

Turning to Ondo State, Rt. Revd Fagbemi, while congratulating the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on becoming the flag bearer of his party, the APC, charged him to unite his party and preserve the enviable and good legacies of his late boss, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

On the 14th Synod, Fagbemi said the theme, “Walking In The Light Of His Word: Recipe For Spiritual Growth,” is intended to build on the theme of last year’s Synod.

In his message to the Synod, the Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr.) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III congratulated the Diocese for a successful event and urged them to be steadfast in their spiritual and religious journey while holding on to the cord of God.