The Catholic Bishops’ Convention of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned that the nation is at a important juncture as a result of worsening socio-economic hardship and insecurity.
The Bishops additionally expressed deep concern over the rising youth unemployment, insecurity, and the financial hardship going through Nigerians.
Nonetheless, they emphasised that hope stays, urging each leaders and residents to take accountability for driving optimistic change.
In a communiqué issued on Thursday night time following their First Plenary Assembly of 2025, the bishops outlined their considerations and suggestions for nationwide improvement. The doc, shared by the Nationwide Director of Social Communications, Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, was collectively signed by Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of CBCN, and Bishop Donatus Ogun, Secretary of CBCN.
Whereas acknowledging progress within the petroleum sector, street rehabilitation, scholar loans, a brand new minimal wage, and debt discount efforts, the bishops warned that these beneficial properties have been overshadowed by extreme financial hardship, meals inflation, and insecurity.
The Communiqué said that “regardless of current optimistic developments, Nigeria faces severe challenges, together with socio-economic hardship, insecurity, rising youth unemployment, and excessive prices of important items. We urge all to pursue unity and nationwide integration. Political, non secular, and conventional leaders should foster hope and improvement.”
The bishops urged Nigerians to stay hopeful in democracy, calling for stronger electoral legal guidelines and neutral execution of duties by establishments such because the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), safety businesses, and the judiciary.
On safety, the bishops urged the federal government to deploy trendy know-how, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance the welfare and gear of safety personnel.
They emphasised the pressing want for funding in agriculture to handle meals shortages, rising prices, and unemployment.
“Extra funding is required in agriculture to facilitate youth involvement and guarantee sustainable meals manufacturing. With improved safety and security for farmers, meals manufacturing will enhance, and the price of meals will cut back nationwide,” they stated
Reaffirming the Catholic Church’s opposition to capital punishment, the bishops appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant clemency to Adamawa State farmer, Mr. Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to dying for killing his attacker in self protection. The Supreme court docket on March 7 upheld the dying sentence for killing a Fulani herdsman Ardo Bawuro throughout an altercation on Jackson’s farm.
“We reaffirm the Catholic Church’s stand that capital punishment is unacceptable. We, subsequently, make a passionate enchantment to President Tinubu, particularly in gentle of the Jubilee 12 months of Hope, to grant pardon to Mr. Sunday Jackson.”
Additionally they known as for pressing jail reforms, together with: Upholding elementary rights of inmates and treating them with dignity. Expediting justice to stop extended detention. Decongesting correctional services by granting parole to well-behaved minor offenders. And Rehabilitating present prisons and setting up new ones to ease overcrowding.
The bishops reaffirmed their dedication to advocating for justice, unity, and nationwide improvement, urging all Nigerians to stay hopeful and proactive in constructing a greater nation.
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