The Nigerian Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has raised concern over the biting hunger in Nigeria which, it said, has continued to fuel corruption in the country.

For instance, the organisation said the government should take immediate action against the extortion of money by security agents from those transporting foodstuff across the country.

The Chairman of NCEF and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr Samuel Danjuma Dani, in a statement issued in Abuja said various security agents mount check points on major roads all over the country demanding various levies from those transporting foodstuff.

According to NCEF, the illegal levies add to the price of foodstuff in the market, advising that extortion in check points must be dismantled.

NCEF also criticised the participation of President Bola Tinubu in the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia, in November 2024, saying it is ?a disturbing signal misrepresenting the constitutional status of Nigeria.?

Gani said rather than promote the unity and secularity of the country, the President?s action deepened religious divide in Nigeria.

Apart from Gani, other members of NCEF are Pastor Bosun Emmanuel (Secretary), Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North); Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South); Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Hon. Treasurer; Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okparaeke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Hon. Justice James Ogebe, JSC (rtd); Elder Moses Ihonde, Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Nat Okoro, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) and Elder Matthew Owojaiye.

Others are DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, late Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof. (Mrs) Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Dr. Taiwo Idemudia (Diaspora), Elder Minso Gadzama, Apostle Bulus Musa Kewa, Admiral Peter Adeniyi (Rtd), Hon. Justice Goddy Anunihu (Rtd) and Chief Sir Ferdinand Anikwe.

The statement reads, ?Nigeria remains a deeply divided country with many non-state actors putting pressure on its security. While we appreciate the efforts of the military and the other security units, the matter of religious divide remains a thorny issue and religious discrimination is yet to be fully addressed by the government. In many parts of Northern Nigeria, violation of citizens rights to religious belief is still common. The secularity of the Nigerian State is openly challenged by some relentless religious extremists.

?NCEF is concerned that rather than promote the secularity of the country, the government acted recently to deepen the religious divide. The participation of President Tinubu in the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia, in November 2024, is a disturbing signal misrepresenting the constitutional status of Nigeria.

?Section 10 of the Constitution says, ?The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion?. The Constitution is clear on the matter of Government and religion. President Tinubu should not have participated in the Arab-Islamic Summit because Nigeria is neither an Arab country, nor an Islamic state.

?NCEF calls for caution from leaders of the country to ensure that the neutrality of the State on religious issues is not compromised. Section 10 and Section 38(1) of the Constitution are specific on this matter. The Government should not be seen as the ?agent provocateur? inflaming religious crisis in the country.?

Hunger in the land

?National Christian Elders Forum is deeply worried about the hardship Nigerians are facing due to hyperinflation in the country. Several factors are responsible for the distressing condition the country is in. The main causes of the distress in the land are the dysfunctional policies of government in the past few years, the unbridled corruption amongst government officials, and the perennial attacks on farmers by religious insurgents.

?The responsibility of resolving these crises lies at the doorstep of government. Section 14 (2)b of the Constitution states that ?the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government:?

NCEF calls on the Federal Government to take steps to ensure the ?security and welfare? of Nigerians. The masses of Nigeria are suffering.

?Government should take immediate action against the extortion of money by security agents from those transporting foodstuff across the country. Various security agents mount check points on major roads all over the country demanding various levies from those transporting foodstuff. These illegal levies add to the price of foodstuff in the market. These extortion check points must be dismantled.

The price of fuel

?Oil is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and any shift in its price, locally and internationally, has ripple effects on every other sector in the country. Over the years, government has claimed to subsidize local consumption of fuel. Credible reports confirm that the subsidy regime was corrupted, and some analysts believe it should be removed.

?While NCEF agrees that channels of corruption should be blocked in the country, the impact of government policies on the populace should receive greater consideration. A sudden removal of fuel subsidy without any mitigating plan cannot be applauded as progressive government policy. It is akin to cutting the head to stop headache. NCEF believes that it is better to combat the corruption in the subsidy regime rather than subject the citizens to undue suffering. Developed nations of the world engage in various subsidy programs for their citizens. When?former President Jonathan increased the price of fuel to N120 per litre in 2012, Nigerians came out with the slogan ?Kill Corruption; Do Not Kill Nigerians?. That call is more relevant today.

?The Tinubu administration removed fuel subsidy on its first day in office and the price of fuel rose from N195 per litre to N540. A few months later it rose to N617 per litre while it currently hovers around N1,000 per litre. Meanwhile, government is struggling to pay minimum wage of N70,000 per month. The minimum wage which government could not pay is what citizens are required to pay to fill the tank of their vehicles. The inflationary pressure this policy is exerting on the country is distressing.

?Of equal concern to the Forum of Christian Elders is the price the locally refined fuel is sold when compared with the price of imported fuel. It seems odd that the locally refined fuel, which does not require payment of import fees, levies, and other import charges is at par with its imported counterpart. The expectation was that locally refined fuel should be much cheaper than imported fuel.

?NCEF is calling on Mr. President, as the Minister of Petroleum, to look again at the pricing regime of fuel in the country. Apparently, government does not yet have a firm grip on the price of fuel. The right balance between citizens? welfare and government policy has not yet been struck.

NCEF wishes to remind the President that the welfare of the citizens should be priority. Every policy of the government should be initiated with the singular objective of meeting the needs of the people. It is our hope that in 2025, government will review its position on the price of fuel and give the much-needed relief to Nigerians.

?The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government:? Section 14(2)b 1999 Constitution (as amended)?

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