In a context where Nigeria’s financial landscape is changing, the Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, recently made an urgent appeal to the government during a press conference organized by the archdiocese. The central issue addressed concerned banks’ implementation of the government’s requirement to update customer data.
Although the deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria for this update was initially set for March 1, the banks continued the operation while encouraging their customers to quickly take the necessary steps before the announcement of a new due date. However, Archbishop Abegunrin advocated for the extension of this update period to relieve citizens facing the stress of adapting to these new regulations.
In his speech, the Archbishop highlighted the need for the government to provide infrastructure that facilitates and accelerates the updating process. He also expressed his concern about the negative impact of this measure on the population, highlighting the suffering and anxiety it causes. In these times of economic difficulty, it is essential that authorities take measures to ease the burden on citizens and ensure that the policies put in place benefit everyone.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop called on the Oyo State government to ensure the security of all residents, stressing that lack of security could lead to acts of summary justice detrimental to the peaceful coexistence of individuals. He also highlighted the issue of youth migration to other countries in search of better opportunities, warning of the harmful effects of this “brain drain” on society.
Finally, the archbishop called for the creation of new employment opportunities for young people and adults, emphasizing the importance of education as a vector of development. He highlighted the role of Catholic institutions in training the country’s future leaders and advocated for the support and strengthening of these educational institutions.
In this period of fasting for many Christians and Muslims, the Archbishop invited people to use this time of prayer for the nation and Oyo State, calling for solidarity and cooperation between the different religious communities to foster a peaceful and collaborative cohabitation.
This intervention by Archbishop Abegunrin highlights the current challenges facing Nigerian society and calls for concerted measures to improve the living conditions of its inhabitants and promote harmonious and inclusive development.