Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Nigeria alerted to soaring food inflation and multidimensional poverty, calling for sustainable solutions at the CBCN Plenary Assembly. With youth unemployment at 53%, he warned of escalating crime and urged government action. He further criticized corruption and underscored the need for good governance to foster societal stability.
In a recent address at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Plenary Assembly in Abuja, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji raised serious concerns about the current economic crisis in Nigeria. He highlighted that food inflation has escalated to 39.84 percent, making it increasingly difficult for families to have three meals a day. This situation has resulted in 129 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, prompting the Archbishop to call for sustainable solutions rather than just temporary relief programs.
While recognizing the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Archbishop Ugorji pointed out that these have led to soaring inflation and diminished purchasing power. He noted that Nigeria now ranks second globally in acute food insecurity, with 24 million individuals classified as food insecure according to the 2024 Global Report on Food Crisis.
Archbishop Ugorji described the youth unemployment rate in Nigeria, currently at 53 percent, as a “ticking time bomb.” He asserted that the alarming rise in criminal activities, such as kidnapping and armed robbery, among Nigerian youth is a direct consequence of unemployment. The Archbishop emphasized the need for urgent governmental action to create jobs and tackle rising insecurity and violence.
He also expressed concern regarding corrupt leaders who misuse public resources, urging them to understand the potential for public unrest due to their actions. The Archbishop reiterated the importance of upholding fundamental rights, ensuring good governance through credible elections, and enhancing civic education to empower citizens.
In his conclusion, Archbishop Ugorji called for collective efforts to address unemployment and poverty as a means to foster stability and peace in Nigeria, indicating that failure to act could lead to worsening conditions.
Archbishop Lucius Ugorji’s address at the CBCN Plenary Assembly underscored the dire economic situation in Nigeria, characterized by high inflation and a significant poverty rate. He highlighted the critical issue of youth unemployment as a catalyst for rising crime and urged the government for immediate job creation initiatives. Moreover, he called for accountability among leaders and emphasized the importance of good governance, electoral integrity, and civic education to empower the citizenry and promote stability.
Original Source: www.fides.org
