Tinubu receives Catholic Bishops in Aso Rock
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, received a delegation of Catholic Bishops of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
While welcoming the clerics, the President assured them of his government’s dedication to a greater Nigeria.
The delegation was led by its President and Catholic Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, alongside Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and the Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onayikan, among others.
Recall that the Conference of Catholic Bishops had berated the Tinubu government over the nation’s challenges.
Speaking at the bishops’ plenary meeting in Abuja last weekend, Iwejuru highlighted unemployment, insecurity, poverty, and corruption as the nation’s problems, urging the President to act swiftly.
However, the Presidency assured Nigerians that the country is making significant progress under Tinubu, respite concerns raised by the bishops about the nation’s challenges.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in reaction to the bishops’ statement.
Onanuga acknowledged that while governance challenges remain, the Tinubu administration had made strides in areas such as security, economic stability, and youth empowerment.
“President Bola Tinubu deeply appreciates the constant interventions of the Catholic Bishops in matters of governance in our country.
“The Conference of Catholic Bishops’ patriotic fervour and commitment to national unity, peace, and stability are unassailable and deeply valued,” Onanuga said.
On security, Onanuga claimed that Nigeria is more secure today than it was in 2023, crediting the military and security agencies for their efforts.
“In the last two years, over 8,000 criminals—including bandits, armed robbers, Boko Haram terrorists, and kidnappers—have been eliminated, while over 10,000 Nigerians, mostly women and children, have been rescued,” he stated.
He added that improved security has allowed farmers to return to their lands, leading to increased food production and lower commodity prices.
Addressing economic concerns, Onanuga stated that Tinubu’s administration had stabilised the economy and improved Nigeria’s financial standing.
