Nigerian Baptist Convention has raised concern on how some youths risk thier lives while crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of greener pastures in the European countries.
Nigerian Baptist Convention in a press statement signed by it’s president, Reverend Dr. Israel Akanji noted that many Nigerians in their prime age are leaving the country for greener pastures in Europe.
The Clergyman stressed that in a bid to secure their livelihood, many Nigerian youths risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea in order to get to Europe.
Nigerian Baptist Convention President however commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts in addressing mass unemployment in the country.
He stated, “We are thankful to our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his good plans and actions towards the mass unemployment in the county for our youths.”
“The educated and highly skilled ones who are able to make it across the country through genuine means have continued to bring decrease to our possible excellent workforce as a country. Consequently, Nigerians are all over the world, developing other countries while their own remains stunted, to put it mildly. Continuous actions of Government must be seen to be drastically reducing these trends.” Dr Israel lamented.
Rev Dr Israel Akanji also announced the preparation of the Nigerian Baptist Convention to host a super centenary anniversary of the convention scheduled for April 20-25 at the Baptist International Convention Centre, Klm. 54, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way Lufuwape Village, Ogun State.
A copy of the statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday read as thus, “For us as Nigerian Baptist Convention, we see a synergy between us and the nation of Nigeria because the country Nigeria itself came to be so known in February, 1914. As mentioned already, our Convention began in March, 1914, therefore Nigeria, as so geographically carved out, is also in a Super Centenary year. Although our independence came in 1960, the country Nigeria had been amalgamated as one since 1914. For this reason, issues of national concern have always been in our thoughts, prayers and actions, where possible.”
“We welcome the ongoing reforms in the economic sector. Going by media reports we are receiving, unarguably, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited a mismanaged economy. In view of that, we urge the Federal Government to make those responsible to be accountable for their actions. And while we appreciate the President for all he is doing to cushion the severity of the economic hardship, we urge him to intensify action to put in place economic policies with a human face to get it fixed on time.”
“Let there be welfare packages that will touch a high percentage of the people. Let there be a waiver in the industries with a view to encourage those companies that have relocated to the subregion to return with so that room for job opportunities will be created.”
“We commend the Federal Government for the attention being given to our roads, which have become death traps. This will help the economy as farm products will be finding their ways to the markets and cities with ease. And while we welcome the Lagos-Calabar highway, we caution the Federal Government against losing focus which need serious repairs attention.”
“That the cost of travelling by air in Nigeria seems to be the highest in the world. It has come to a state when Nigerian travelers overseas go through neighboring countries to travel because it is cheaper. We thank God for the ongoing price war in the overseas travelling but that is also needed in our domestic air transport services and the Ministry of Aviation should not fold its hands.”
“During the just concluded Sallah celebrations, the media were showing footages of terrorists celebrating in some communities in Zamfara and Borno States. This was a slap on the face of our security agencies. More actions are needed to put these criminals where they rightly belong.”
“More personnel should be recruited to fill the vacuum in all our security agencies. The Nigerian Baptist Convention endorses the quest for the State Police. It will complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and as a country, having such a Police Unit is not abnormal. Rather, it is a global practice of security architecture. Also, the Federal Government should set up a Special Court where terrorist cases will be prosecuted according to the law of the land. Developed nations like the USA, the UK, Germany and France should stop paying lip service to their support for the country in our efforts to stop the menace of terrorism.”
“We call on all tiers of government to declare a state of emergency on the education sector with a view to restore normalcy. This will help us to reduce the percentage of children who are out of schools in the country and address all the crises rocking our tertiary institutions, which always lead to their closure at the expense of our youths.”
“Our tertiary institutions should overhaul their curriculum with a view to producing graduates who are not only employable, but who can become self-employed. We also call on the leadership of the Civil Defence Corps to rise to the security threat on our public schools in order to stop the incessant abduction of our children.”
