Following the Supreme Court’s decision to grant autonomy to local governments in the country, a global organisation of Christian businessmen and professionals, the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship has called on Nigerians to monitor and protect their local government allocations.
President of the fellowship, Arc Ifeanyi Odedo who made this call on Friday in a press conference on the fellowship’s forthcoming 2024 National Convention, said they support President Bola Tinubu’s push for fiscal autonomy for local governments, hoping that it would revitalise economic activities across Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
Odedo said that as a body of businessmen and professionals, the fellowship is concerned over the impact of the endemic corruption in the society, both in the marketplace and public service.
He said that Nigeria is a nation endowed with huge material and human resources but whose growth and development has been severely impaired by the cankerworm of corruption.
“We therefore, appeal to all leaders and the entire citizenry across board to have a change of heart and to hit the reset button in the way we conduct our services, businesses and conduct our public affairs.
“We must raise a generation of patriotic citizens who will stand as agents of transformation in our country and champion total war against the monster of corruption.
“We continue to express concern over the challenge of food insecurity in Nigeria which is largely engendered by the spate of kidnappings and banditry across the country,” he said.
The fellowship’s president further said that they believe that a concerted action to curb these ugly menaces, as President Tinubu is directing enable farmers go back to their farms to alleviate the present hardship, restore peace in the land and in no small measure revive the nation’s economy.
“We also remain hopefully anchored in God’s unfailing love for Nigeria. We have previously overcome significant challenges, including the end of the 400 years long transatlantic slave trade, a century of colonial exploitation, the Nigerian civil war, and military dictatorships.
“Today, we have enjoyed 25 years of unbroken democratic governance, a testament of what God can do for a nation. We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent efforts to re-jig the security apparatus which is essential for a more stable and prosperous society.
“The recent appointments of new heads for DSS, NIA and the acting Chief Justice bring a renewed hope in the system. We pray this ignites fresh commitment to combat insecurity. We therefore urge more proactive actions to mitigate food insecurity, kidnapping, and banditry which hinder economic progress and quality of life,” he said.
While speaking on the forthcoming convention which is scheduled to hold from September 5 to 7, 2024, Odedo said the annual event usually provide opportunities to address pressing national issues as members come together to pray for the nation, empower their members to be responsible citizens with impeccable integrity, and collaborate with leaders in nation-building.
“As the Bible instructs, we are to pray for those in authority and adhere to government ordinances and societal ethics recognising political leaders as God’s appointed ministers.
“This will be our first National Convention under the new democratic dispensation, and we aim to welcome the new administration while offering our support to her as they work to guide Nigeria out of our multifarious challenges especially insecurity and economic distress.
“Our support includes prayers and mobilising our members for positive civic engagements and modelling productive economic trends,” he said.