A cleric of the Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Rev. Goddy Stewart, has called on President Bola Tinubu to concentrate his effort on addressing poverty and other issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians, rather than expending the country’s scarce resources on attempting to resolve the military coup in Niger Republic under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
While exchanging views with journalists on the economic and political state of the nation in Port Harcourt, recently, Rev. Stewart implored the President, Governors and other political leaders to reciprocate the people’s support for the democratic process during the last general elections by ensuring that the citizens’ welfare is primarily attended to before any other interest.
The cleric said priority attention should be given to such issues as provision of crop seedlings and fertilisers to farmers for food production, provision of potable drinking water, constant electricity supply, provision of soft loans and grants to farmers, students, workers, retirees and the less privileged for the establishment of small and medium scale businesses.
He stressed the need for training of Nigerians, especially farmers, in rural areas on modern techniques of farming and doing business, including close supervision to help improve on their productivity.
He decried the fact that there are communities in Nigeria still living in perpetual darkness and lacking functional health care services, including poor quality educational services, unclean and unsafe environment and absence of access roads and cottage industries.
“As listening leaders who have the interest of the people at heart and are sincerely committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots, it is time to pay attention to the lingering challenges so far highlighted to alleviate the people’s sufferings.
“The elections have since been won and lost, it is now time to settle down for business of governance.
“Just as the strength of the building depends on the foundation, so is the success of a government anchored on the policies and sincere commitment of leaders to deliver on their responsibilities.
“We are here to once again, congratulate you on your success as you celebrate your first one hundred days in office. Your remarkable beginning should be to solve the under-development and poverty-stricken situation of Nigeria and her citizens before championing the resolution crusade of coup and disorderliness in Niger Republic while your houses and subjects are on fire.
“I want to state here without fear of contradiction, that you have laid a solid foundation for the Restoration of Hope agenda which is to build the nation of our founding fathers’ dreams and make it come to pass”, he stated.
Meanwhile, Rev. Stewart also urged Rivers people to take a stand behind the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led administration to contribute viable ideas towards ensuring economic development and growth of the state as he celebrates his first one hundred days in office.
The clergyman further explained that availing the State Government with incentives, brilliant and forward looking perspectives will not only quicken and complement the efforts of the present administration, but will guarantee its success.

By: Bethel Toby