Northern CAN to Tinubu: Address mass poverty in Nigeria | Palliatives are temporary

The northern leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says life is becoming a living hell for Nigerians due to mass poverty in the country.

In a statement on Friday, Gilbert Jechonia, spokesperson of the association in the 19 northern states and the federal capital territory, asked President Bola Tinubu to find a lasting solution to the economic challenges in the country.

The association expressed concern over the high cost of food items and transportation, adding that many youths are forced into crimes due to unemployment.

“Life is becoming a living hell as prices of food, transportation and other essential commodities were beyond the reach of the poor masses as prices keep going up on a daily basis,” the statement reads.

“There is mass poverty and hunger in the land, many Nigerians are barely struggling to make ends meet.

“Many businesses have collapsed as a result of the harsh economic situation in the country. Unemployment has pushed many young people into crime.

“It is our considered opinion that the provision of such palliatives is not a lasting solution to the hardship being faced by the masses.

“The government should take more concrete and realistic measures at addressing the problem than adopting this ad hoc strategy that will only end up enriching few individuals.

“The palliatives will end up in the pockets of some few individuals and their cronies as we have seen in Nasarawa state where some government officials in charge of the distribution of foodstuffs were reported to have connived with some traders to divert them.

The northern CAN called on the federal and state government “to live up to the expectations of Nigerians by ensuring that the economic and social problems bedevilling the country are addressed”.