Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church of Nigeria Umuahia has urged President Bola Tinubu to end food insecurity in the country.
Onuoha made the call on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on his assessment of the performance of the present administration’s one year after inauguration into office.
He, however, lauded Tinubu and Gov. Alex Otti of Abia for their approaches in tackling insecurity both at the national and state level.
He noted that both leaders were on track with respect to community policing, adding that it was his wish that they continue to look for innovative ways to address the crippling issue in the country.
“Yes, they are on the right track, and I wish they continue to look for innovative ways to address the crippling issue because only a tenacious, sustained approach will work.
“In Abia, Dr Otti, has been meeting with, strengthening and mobilising traditional stakeholders in tackling insecurity/criminality in the state.
”While at the federal level, meetings are also ongoing in a bid to ensure environmental and economic security of Nigerian communities,” he said.
Onuoha, however, advised that traditional rulers council and its executive, community women groups and well-structured age-grade groups in local villages should not be overlooked in developing multi-level approaches in the fight against insecurity.
He described insecurity both at the national and state level as an existential challenge.
“Since no real progress can be achieved without it, I dare say security is a key scorecard for any government.
“For President Bola Tinubu, as well as Gov. Alex Otti, strategies and policies formulated to address this grave challenge would need to be not just short term, but medium and long-term.
“They should intentionally address the ethnic, sociocultural and religious coloration that drive this hydra-headed problem.
“We should not forget the value of open and transparent dialogues, as we try to heal the land and ensure sustainable peace for our dear nation,” he added.
He called for immediate strategies that could translate to tangible results.
“Already impoverished families barely get by, as the middle class is gradually being suffocated to extinction,” the cleric said. (NAN)
