by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu, has observed that, many families have been pushed into poverty in Nigeria because the middle-class, which used to act as a buffer, has been eroded.
According to him, “Today, you are either rich or poor; the high cost of living and flawed policies will not solve the problem. Take food distribution, for instance: during Christmas, the government provided some assistance, but how many people truly benefited?”
Speaking in an interview after their Northern Bishops meeting in Jos, Archbishop Matthew Audu said, “For all the Catholics in Plateau State, we received only 25kg bags – 10 in total – distributed among all dioceses. How many families can that feed?,” he queried.
“Instead of handing out food, the government should prioritize security so that farmers can cultivate and harvest their crops freely.
“Government cannot feed everyone, but it can create an enabling environment where people can take care of their families. Citizens do not want to become beggars, dependent on government handouts.
“Tax revenue should be used for development – building roads, providing water, and improving healthcare – not for distributing food that may never even reach those who truly need it,” he stated.
Archbishop Audu noted that, “Despite everything, our lives are in the hands of God. If God allows us to go through challenges, He will also sustain us. That is our hope.
“If not for the resilience of the Nigerian people, the nation would have collapsed by now. But, unfortunately, many channel their frustration the wrong way; they go only to prayer houses rather than holding the government accountable.
“Prayer is important, but it is not enough. We must speak up and let the government know our concerns, and we cannot elect leaders to manage our commonwealth, only for them to turn it into their personal property.
“If you cannot send your child to school, if you cannot afford food, if you cannot access healthcare, then, you are as good as dead. That is the reality,” he stated.
According to the Archbishop, “Persecution has been in existence, the situation in Plateau is somewhat different from Kaduna. In some places, employment is not based on merit but on religious affiliation. Even nationwide, promotions are sometimes given, based on religious considerations rather than competence.”
Archbishop Audu explaining that, they are doing the meetings in a rotational manner; so, it is the turn of the Jos Province, that is why they have come to Jos and believe that, as they come, others will go, saying, “But the prayers they offer will also help us and my people in the state. That, I think, is the greater part of it, and we have certainly benefited from it,” he said.
The Archbishop noted that, “The major issue is the persistent insecurity that has plagued the Jos Province. The province covers areas stretching from here to Maiduguri, Yola, Bauchi, and Shendam. This entire region has been affected by various crises due to a lack of proper security measures.
“If there’s anything we would ask for, it is for the governments in different states to take proactive steps to ensure the security of lives and property.
“I believe we are making concerted efforts to uphold faith, hope, and life, which are the most important things. Other aspects of our work can be judged by you,” he said.