The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Henry Ndukuba, has advised the Federal Government to channel the funds it spends on palliatives to building industries.
Ndukuba, who gave the advice at the opening of the 14th edition of the Divine Commonwealth Conference 2024 (DIVCCON) on Tuesday in Abuja, said investing in industrialization could create more employment.
The conference with the theme “Hold Yourself in Peace”, taken from the Gospel of Mark 4:35 – 41”, aims to create hope for the church and intercede for Nigeria as a country.
Ndukuba told reporters on the sidelines of the event that revitalizing dying textiles and other industries, as well as establishing new ones in the country's six geopolitical zones, could reduce economic difficulties.
The cleric praised the government for ensuring that the scope of intervention of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was expanded from building infrastructure to carrying out research, innovation and industrialization programmes.
He added that translating those ideas into industrialization could have more impact in Nigeria.
“I was very happy to learn that TETFund not only serves to build infrastructure in our higher institutions, but also to promote research, innovation and industrialization.
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“The way forward is how to translate this into industrialization.
“Our current situation cannot be resolved by giving only palliatives, yes, palliatives are only for immediate relief, but there is a need to reactivate our industries, textiles and others,” he said.
The primate asked “do you know how many textile companies have gone bankrupt in Kaduna State?”
“If we had five textile companies operating in the north, I tell you that a large number of our young people would work both day and night.”
Highlighting the issue, the cleric expressed hope for the country, warning that Nigeria was weathering the storm like Jesus Christ and his disciples did as he rose and calmed the strong winds.
He further advised that Nigerians should not worry about the stormy situation, adding that Almighty God would help the country overcome its trials.
He said that Jesus' calmness was significant and worthy of emulation, as he was neither anxious nor panicked, but instead demonstrated a peace that transcends circumstances and foreshadows the peace he would soon bring to raging waters.
“I want to tell you that most Nigerians are worried, anxious, afraid for their own lives, they are not even sure where the next meal will come from.
“And it is in this situation where we are faced with a storm and none of us have the solution, it is in such a situation that the word of God comes to us,” he said.
Also speaking, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended the Anglican Church for its continued role in fostering unity, faith and hope within the Christian community in Nigeria.
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Represented by Rev. Princewill Ireoba, Mr. Okoh explained that the theme of the conference came at the right time to raise the hope of the people of God, especially when Nigeria faces numerous challenges.
“Peace be still resonates deeply with us as Christians facing the storms of our time.
“We live in times of profound political, economic and social challenges that test our resilience and faith.
“However, it is in those storms that the Lord calls us to remember His sovereignty, to trust in His words and to know that His peace passes all understanding.
“Just as Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, so He stands ready to calm the storms in our lives, in our nation, and in the hearts of all who seek Him. “Everything will be fine,” he said.
(YAYA)