The federal government yesterday reaffirmed its respect for the Catholic Church, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most important development partners, stressing that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to strengthening engagement with faith-based organisations in addressing the country’s pressing challenges.
Besides, the Tinubu administration assured that the current economic hardship confronting Nigerians is only a passing phase that will ultimately give way to the benefits of ongoing reforms.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, in a statement, against the backdrop of recent exchanges between the administration and leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), said the Tinubu administration recognised the invaluable contributions of the Catholic Church in education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and moral leadership.
According to the government scribe, the President continues to welcome honest advice and constructive engagement from religious institutions.
“The federal government has taken note of public reactions following the recent meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). We wish to reaffirm our profound respect for the Catholic Church and its enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development through education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and moral guidance,” he stated.
According to the SGF, the government believes that many of Nigeria’s challenges cannot be solved alone, arguing that partnerships with faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector and citizens remain indispensable to national development.
“Many of the challenges confronting our nation require partnership. Faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society, the private sector and citizens all have indispensable roles to play in promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion and advancing national development. Constructive engagement between government and these institutions is therefore not only welcome but essential,” Akume said.
During a recent meeting at the Presidential Villa, the bishops had expressed concern over worsening economic hardship, insecurity, democratic governance and the shrinking political space.
The controversy deepened after the former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, defended the bishops’ position on television, insisting they were merely fulfilling their responsibility to “speak truth to power” and reflecting the genuine concerns of Nigerians rather than engaging in partisan politics.
His remarks drew sharp responses from senior government officials and supporters of the administration, triggering a public debate over the current administration’s response to criticism vis a vis the Church’s role in holding the government accountable.
But Akume said that the president as well as himself and his office would continue consultations with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders on issues raised during the meeting with the president, with a view to deepening collaboration in the national interest.
Akume noted that discussions between Tinubu and the bishops were candid, respectful and constructive, covering concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, education, public services, electoral credibility, political pluralism and religious freedom.
While acknowledging that there were differences in the assessment of some issues, he said such disagreements should not be interpreted as a breakdown in relations between both sides.
(FROM: THISDAY)
