Hardship: Anglican Bishop calls for peace amid planned protest

The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Dr. James Odedeji, on Monday called for peace ahead of planned protests over the biting economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria.

Daily Trust reports that some Nigerian youths are planning nationwide protests beginning from August 1-10, 2024, to express their displeasure over the economic crisis.

The planned protest is currently gaining traction in the North and other parts of the country, and is aimed at drawing the attention of governments at all levels to the plight of the citizens.

Speaking in Lagos on Monday, Bishop Odedeji said in spite of the economic challenges, there is a need for peace in Nigeria.

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He spoke ahead of the annual peace award and investiture organised by the Apostles of Peace Society International.

The annual peace award with the theme “Peace in Nigeria”, will feature investiture of Chief Bisi Akande, former Osun State Governor; Sir Obi Okafor, the Group CEO of Blue Star Group and Captain Ado Sanusi, the CEO of Aero Contractors.

The lecture will be delivered by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Folashade Ogunsola.

Responding to questions, Odedeji admitted that there are threats from the citizens and the organised as a result of hardship in the land, even as he appealed to the government to deliver on its promises for peace to reign.

The clergyman said “It is not accidental that we are discussing peace in Nigeria at this time when hardship is in the land, when hunger is in the land. Even with this all, how do we see light at the end of the tunnel?

“As part of our peace advocacy, the government will be reminded of their promises to make life worth living for the citizens. The government also needs to be reminded of the sensitivity of human existence because when the poor can not eat, the rich will not be able to sleep and you cannot beat a child and tell him not to cry.

“Society produces crime when the people in the society are not happy, when they are not being cared for, they take laws into their own hands. We are going to provide an avenue for an equilibrium where the government will see and when the citizens also will see in order to see what is the wayforward.”