Maroc - VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - 22/Jun 19:46

Urgently subsidise food items’ movement to reduce prices, Akinfenwa urges FG

By Chidinma Ewunonu-AlukoThe Bishop of Ibadan Diocese in the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, has urged the Federal Government to immediately start the process of subsidising the movement of food items.Akinfenwa made the remark on Saturday in Ibadan at the Collation, Institution and Induction of Ven. Samuel Oluwagbade as the Archdeacon of Asi Archdeaconry and Vicar of Immanuel Anglican Church, Asi.He said this subsidy would help to reduce high cost of food items and others in the country.”One of the reasons the prices of food items skyrocket daily is the high cost of their movement from the place of production to that of consumption.“This is due to the high cost of diesel and fuel,” Akinfenwa explained.He went on to advise government to bring back the Price Control Board to monitor the increase in prices of food items in the entire country.“The situation in our land now calls for urgent action by all, so that the hunger level will not reach the point of people eating the flesh of others.“Local Governments should also stop levying food stuffs to reduce high cost, there is an urgent need to control prices of items so that charlatans will not be exploiting people,” the Anglican bishop said.Akinfenwa also enjoined Nigerians to cultivate the habit of paying taxes at all times to encourage government.He further advised all Nigerian families to begin to plant vegetables, pepper, tomatoes and spices in their gardens.“The time has come for that really. Plant even in sacks, bottles, and the backyards so that you can eat and sell too to make ends meet.”Moreover, plant also prayers and continue to pray for the nation to be better,” Akinfenwa said.He described the newly-inducted Archdeacon Oluwagbade as a man of great and impeccable manners, peaceful, humble and prayerful.The Bishop advised him to avoid nepotism and Godfatherism, and never to belong to any camp in the Church but be a father of all in all fairness.“Have a heart of the shepherd that will multiply seeds, lead the church to progress and expand God’s kingdom, and also mobilise all age categories in the Church to work for God.“Don’t be deceived by the fashion of the new age of Christianity in the world, uphold the godly heritage and doctrine of the Anglican Church.“Authority and boldness have been given to you today, so we challenge you to arise and begin to build,” he said.The Bishop further urged Oluwagbade’s wife to always support her husband and play the big motherly role expected of her by the Church.“You and your husband should ensure you don’t leave the Archdeaconry the way you met it. Wake up, because this new position is a call to action and to serve God faithfully,” Akinfenwa stated.While responding, Oluwagbade pledged that he would serve God in all integrity and purity without disappointing the Church and Bishop.He thanked the Bishop for giving him the opportunity to serve, and the congregation and all others for their support and prayers.(NAN)