The bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Methodist Church Nigeria, Olayinka Akande, on Saturday in Ibadan, urged incoming administrations to secure Nigeria.

Mr Akande said in his message to the 17th annual synod of the diocese that national security was essential to protect lives and property.

He added that national security would enable Nigerians to travel without fearing kidnappers.

Mr Akande said the administration’s priority should be economic revitalisation. He added that it must also involve the private sector in its affairs.

“The plan should contain measurable targets for creating jobs, reducing poverty and decreasing the cost of living, improving security and making space for a more collaborative approach.

“Lagos State governor should kindly act on public outcry to curb the excesses of operatives of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, Vehicle Inspection Office and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

“They are inflicting unnecessary burden and hardship on the citizenry. And this has been done in the name of the government,’’ he noted.

Mr Akande also implored Nigerians to participate fully in the oncoming national population census and be sure to be counted.

He stressed that population figures and demographics must be near accurate for the country to distribute infrastructure equitably.

The Methodist bishop also noted that a food crisis was looming and must be tackled with friendly and achievable policies.

He listed one of such policies as the Maputo Declaration on agriculture, which recommended that 10 per cent of national budgets be allocated to agriculture.

“Sadly, local government administration in Nigeria is comatose, and the peasant farmer who contributes to our food basket does not have access to financial and other support for upscale farming.

“We have a federal republic, but in reality, the federating units are majorly dependent on the almighty centre, which holds enormous powers.

“This has led to an ever-subsisting struggle, and this is not true federalism. I pray that the incoming administration will be endowed with the necessary wisdom, courage and direction to reshape our dear country,’’ Mr Akande said.

He stressed that the government must also have political willingness and determination to redirect the country into a working one.

(NAN)