President of the FCT Baptist Conference, Reverend Dogara Gwana, has appealed to the Federal Government to go beyond providing palliatives in addressing challenges facing Nigerians.
Gwana said this during a news conference to mark the FCT Baptist Conference’s 10th Anniversary in Abuja on Wednesday.
The conference has as its theme: “When the Righteous Pray.”
The theme is taken from the book of James 5:16.
Gwana said that it emphasised the transformative power of fervent prayer amid societal uncertainties.
He highlighted the economic struggles caused by policies, including subsidy removal, urging transparency, and human-centered governance.
“It is no news that there is hardship in the land.
“Food items and other household items have become difficult to touch.
“Building materials, for those who even dare to build, are becoming the exclusive reserve of the rich,” he said.
Gwana noted that the current hardship was due to a long-drawn failure of succeeding governments to take certain difficult decisions.
“I want to appeal that whatever the government is doing should go beyond palliatives. Nigerians deserve much more than palliatives.
“I believe that President Bola Tinubu has good intentions for the people, and I equally believe he has strategies to implement these policies,” he said.
On security, Gwana lauded the recent successes recorded by the Nigerian military, but stressed the need for accountability and support for victims of violence.
According to him, it is unjustifiable to rehabilitate a “so-called repentant terrorist” and integrate him to society, but leave the victims of insurgency to continue languishing in Internally Displaced Camps (IDP).
“On the so-called repentant terrorists, government should be extra careful in equipping them in the process of rehabilitation.
“If the government is taking care of these repentant criminals, what are they doing to help their victims?
“The FCT Baptist Conference is calling for due compensation to those who have lost their relatives and possessions like houses and farms,” he added.
He also opposed attempts to introduce Sharia law in the South-West, reaffirmed Nigeria’s secular status and advocated for religious freedom.
“Sharia law is an Islamic law that assumes full practice of Islamic precepts as the civic obligation of everyone.
“The implication of this is that non-Muslims within such a state are considered secondary citizens.
“Nigeria is a secular state that allows for freedom of religion,” he said.
According to him, the FCT Baptist Conference upholds the Baptist distinction of the separation of church and state.
“What this entails is that the government should not interfere with religious practices and that the government is not to establish or adopt any particular religion as a national religion,” he said.
Gwana also lauded the current infrastructural developments in Abuja under the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.
He appealed for affordable housing and transportation reforms.
Gwana further called on participants to intercede for Nigeria’s future with prayers while committing to civic and spiritual responsibilities.
NAN also reports that the session, which aims to inspire hope and action for a brighter Nigeria, featured prominent faith leaders.(NAN)
