By Chinelo Ogbodo (Enugu State Correspondent)
The Order of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) have expressed fear over a possible grave consequences of the current economic hardship in the country if it persists in the incoming year 2024.
The Catholic Knights therefore advised the government to do everything official possible to get the country out of the woods as soon as possible.
Following the increasing widespread severe economic hardship and mass poverty conditions in Nigeria occasioned by galloping inflation, high exchange rate of the country's currency in the international market, and the vertical rise of the pump prices of refined petroleum products, the Supreme Subordinate (National) President, Nigeria (SSP), Knights of St John International (KSJI), Maj. Gen. (Prof) Remy Uche, has made a suggestion to the government to introduce genuine socio-economic programmes and policies that would quickly address the ravaging situation early next year.
Prof. Uche's suggestion was contained in his Christmas message to the country which was made available to NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper on Sunday, December 24, 2023 by the Chief of Staff to the SSP, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu.
He said that following the current economic hardship in the country, the situation now requires serious economic planning that would urgently bring about great improvement and tremendous leap out of the situation.
The KSJI Supreme Subordinate President of the KSJI in Nigeria noted that the hardship condition deteriorated months ago when a new regime of the pump prices of the refined petroleum products was introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on assumption of office on May 29.
He said that a situation where even the average person in the country finds it so difficult to feed was not healthy and poses a serious security threat. Maj. Gen. (Prof) Uche who is also the dean of the Facility of Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), expressed fear about the possible grave consequences of the situation and advised government to take urgent steps to ameliorate the current hash condition of the citizens.
He declared, "The situation could be inimical to national peace and tranquility, as it is capable of evoking implosion or avoidable nationwide uprising, hence government should take a fast approach to saving the condition."
The SSP implored members of the KSJI, male and female, in the country to always demonstrate good citizenship and lead life worthy of emulation. He urged them to also lead a life of charity as the Christmas season entails by extending charity gestures to the needy in the society including Muslims and the people of other Faith outside Christianity.
Prof. advised every Nigerian to use the opportunity of this Christmas season to show love to one another by tolerating the inadequacies of others and their religion differences. NNL.
