President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged faith leaders to join hands with him to build a strong economy in which the people will prosper.
He also urged them to remain steadfast in promoting interfaith harmony and denouncing violence.
He pledged to partner them and their institutions to tackle poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Tinubu spoke at the opening of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday. He said his request to the religious leaders was hinged on the fact that faith-based organisations are “a vital bridge for peace, unity and moral renewal in the country.”
‘’Our efforts in tackling insecurity, expanding social investment programmes, strengthening agriculture and revitalising infrastructure are geared towards creating an enabling environment for Nigerians to live in peace and fulfill their potential.
“I reassure you that the Federal Government will deepen collaboration with the Catholic Church and other faith-based Organisations in key sectors as education, healthcare, social welfare and skills development.
‘’Together, we can tackle poverty, reduce inequality and build stronger communities,” the President said.
He was represented at the event by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, attended the event, which was witnessed by the representative of Pope Leo XIV, Apostolic Nuncio Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, and some members of the National Assembly.
Tinubu told the bishops that genuine reconciliation and national cohesion can only be achieved when spiritual leaders preach peace, discourage extremism, hatred, and divisive tendencies.
He challenged them ‘’to continue speaking truth to power, not only to government but to society.’’
Tinubu, in a statement by Akume’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, reminded the clerics that while ‘’speaking truth to power,’’ they should ‘’offer constructive solutions that will help us build a nation where integrity, hard work and compassion are hallmarks of public and private life.”
He lauded the Catholic Bishops and other clerics across denominations for championing dialogue and tolerance in a diverse nation like Nigeria.
