The Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, popularly known as Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nijeriya (TEKAN), has called on the federal government to urgently address the increasing attacks on farmers.

Joel Stephen-Billi, president of TEKAN, made the call during a news conference at the end of its 69th General Assembly on Saturday in the Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.

He decried that incessant attacks on farmers and destruction of crops in farmlands were largely responsible for food shortage, particularly in the North.

“The federal government must take decisive action to protect our farmers and ensure they can carry out their farming activities without fear of attacks.

“It is only when our farmers are safe and able to produce food that we can guarantee food sufficiency in our nation,” he said.

Mr Stephen-Billi also called on the government to ensure the timely and adequate provision of fertiliser, credit facilities, and essential inputs to real farmers, not “political farmers.”

The president called on the government to ensure all Nigerians currently in captivity were rescued and communities displaced from their ancestral homes were resettled.

The president, who decried the unemployment rate, called for the inclusion of entrepreneurship and skills acquisition training in the curriculum of tertiary institutions to produce graduates who would be employers of labour.

He further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to adopt measures to cushion the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Mr Stephen-Billi, however, urged Christians and all Nigerians to pray for leaders at all levels who will meet the people’s yearnings and aspirations.

The meeting was attended by presidents and general secretaries of the fifteen TEKAN churches.

Some of these Churches include the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Nongou Kristi Ser-Tar, the Christian Reformed Church -Nigeria (NKST), Ekklesiyar Yanuwa A Nijeriya, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), and the Reformed Church of Christ for Nations (RCCN).

Other churches include the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN), the Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC), the Membila Baptist Convention-Nigeria, and the United Church of Christ in Nations.

(NAN)