The Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical and Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Most Revd Simeon Borokini, has identified the current economic hardship and insecurity in the country responsible for the hunger and poverty in the land.

Borikini stated this while delivering his charge at the third session of the 14th Diocesan Synod, with the theme “Breaking the Shackles of Sin,” held at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ijare, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, said the effects of hardship, hunger and poverty is taking a toll on Nigerians.

According to him, the needless suffering in a land flowing with milk and honey affected every sector which now operates at awful levels, saying the agricultural sector has been the most impacted by the economic downturn and security situation.

He however, pleaded with Nigerians to allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prove his mettle within two years, calling on the Tinubu-led administration to respond to the yearnings of the people in order to avert the planned protest by the youths from taking place.

He said: “Every country in the world has its own problem. When it comes to the matter of the economy, I will say it’s global. But for our country, we are blessed. God has endowed us with good land, human, and natural resources, but security has affected our economy.

“The economy is not in good shape, and the cost of living is increasing by the day. Things are becoming tougher, and we don’t pray they continue this way.

“We call on the government as a matter of urgency to re-evaluate and review its economic policies to diversify and revamp the ailing economy to mitigate the adverse effect of subsidy removal on petroleum products on the people.

“Everybody is aware of how much a basket of tomatoes is. A few weeks ago, a tuber of yam was selling for N10,000. What has resulted from this is that many of our people who are still able to farm cannot go to their farms again because of kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen.

“I think the government needs to do something about this. If the government can do something about security, I think our farmers will be safe to go to their farms to cultivate.

“This period is maize season, but how much maize do we have now? In previous years, we bought maize for N20 and N50, but one now sells for N200 and N300 because many people cannot go to the farm, and this has affected our economy.

“The solution is that the federal government should beef up our security, and anything they can do, they shouldn’t pay lip service to security matters.

“They should intensify security so that our farmers and able young men who are interested in farming can be allowed to go to their farm so that they will be secured.

“Let me give him (Tinubu) two years. It will be too early for me to decide whether I should give him a mark. What we are doing is continuing to pray for him to improve. Maybe after two years, I’ll be able to pass judgement, but for now, I can’t.

“Anything the government can do to avert that protest, they should do it. If I say the youth should not go on protest, but if the economic situation persists and life is not enjoyable to the masses, we can’t stop them. What I would advise is that anything the government can do to alleviate the suffering of the people, let them do it.”

Speaking on the issue of unemployment and the electricity supply, the Bishop said “What is the essence of the advantage of spending colossal sums of money on training children in the higher institution who, after graduating, will roam the streets for years looking for employment?

“Power supply today is worse in this country. Nigerians are paying for bills for electricity not consumed. The high tariff given on a monthly basis is not fair enough to the citizens.

“Mr. President, hope is not yet lost in the remaining period of your present regime; you can still see to it that power is available to all Nigerians uninterruptedly, twenty-four hours every day. Achieving this will constitute the beginning of a breakthrough for our nation.”