As part of measures to reduce the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians, some churches in Abuja have distributed food items to their members.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prices of food items and other commodities have been on the rise with no corresponding increase in workers’ income.
NAN recalls that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) organised a protest on February 27 over the high cost of living being faced by Nigerians since the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023.
Also, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) latest Consumer Price Index report, inflation rates have risen to 31.70 percent as of February 2024, up from 29.90 percent recorded in January.
The report stated that the February inflation rate was driven primarily by food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing, water, electricity, and gas, among others.
Experts say the development has heightened pressure on the prices of consumer goods in local markets nationwide, exacerbating hardship for consumers.
To cushion the hardship, the Shepherd’s House Assembly International at Apo Resettlement Area distributed king-sized loaves of bread to 600 families in its church.
The senior pastor of the church, Rev. Joshua Talena, said the gesture was aimed at encouraging the congregation not to despair with the current economic hardship.
“At the church service on March 10, 300 families were also given food and drinks,” Talena said.
He urged other members of the church who were more privileged to extend similar support to some congregants and those in need around them.
NAN recalls that the church inaugurated its Shepherd’s “Sure Bread” on March 3 to assist the indigent in the church and other communities as part of its vision of reaching the unreached in society through evangelism.
Also at the Konoina Global Abuja of the Eternity Network International (ENI), more than 500 bags of 5kg and 10 kg of rice were distributed to members.
The founder of ENI, Joshua Selman, said the distribution was in response to the hardship being experienced in the country and not for showmanship.
”This is our first phase, and it’s not for showmanship or politics but to help believers evolve to become responsible Christians.
”Beyond prayer, Christians must indeed be light and salt,” he said.
Selma said that he believes in practical Christianity through acts of kindness and hoped the gesture would inspire others to do the same in their neighbourhood as their resources permit.
Similarly, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, in Karu also distributed food items to its members.
The items, distributed by Mrs. Busayo Oluyemi, the wife of the Pastor in Charge of the Province, were particularly for widows in the church.
The widows got wrappers and cash, with the gesture extended to other widows in the neighbourhood.
While other churches use their welfare units to meet the needs of the less privileged among them, many Nigerians have continued to lament the hardship being experienced in the country.
They urged the government to take measures to stem the tide. (NAN)
