Abuja, Nigeria — The Vicar of St. James Cathedral Church, Asokoro, Abuja, Reverend Benjamin Idume, has attributed the escalating hardship faced by Nigerians to the governors’ excessive reliance on the monthly federation allocation. Speaking at a forum in Abuja on Monday, as part of activities marking the 2024 Father’s Day celebration, Reverend Idume emphasized the need for governors to diversify their revenue sources and enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to mitigate economic difficulties.
Reverend Idume pointed out that the persistent dependency on federal allocations is outdated and counterproductive. “The state governors’ dependency on federal government allocation is long overdue,” he remarked. He urged governors to focus on harnessing the natural resources within their states, which would lead to significant economic improvements.
Addressing the forum, themed “The Roles of Christian Fathers in Homes,” Idume stressed the importance of selflessness and equality in building a prosperous nation. He highlighted that the public sector employs a small fraction of the workforce, suggesting that a broader economic strategy is necessary to ensure widespread happiness and well-being.
In a related address, Emmanuel Ohakim, President of the Christian Men’s Fellowship at the Cathedral, criticized the lack of effective leadership training among many leaders, attributing this failure to their upbringing. He called on fathers to balance their professional and family lives, emphasizing the importance of morning devotions and evening discussions with children to foster stronger familial bonds.
Ohakim stated, “I am calling on all fathers to spend enough time with their children by holding morning devotion and having discussions with them after the day’s activities to know them more.”
Olusola Akomode, former Chief of Staff to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, also spoke at the event. He appealed for patience with the current government, noting that it inherited significant challenges from the previous administration led by Muhammadu Buhari. Akomode acknowledged that while there is typically a “honeymoon period” for new governments, the severity of inherited issues has necessitated immediate and decisive action.
“The honeymoon is canceled due to the pressing need to address the inherited problems,” Akomode explained.
Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, Chairman of the Father’s Day Organising Committee, emphasized the day’s significance in guiding fathers, particularly political leaders, towards better governance. He called for continuous prayers for the leaders, aligning with biblical teachings, and urged Nigerians to make wise choices in the forthcoming 2027 elections.
“We know our leaders are not doing exactly what they are supposed to do, but we must not relent in praying for them,” Chukwunyere said. He also highlighted the pitfalls of leaders who operate under the influence of political godfathers rather than focusing on the people’s needs.
The forum underscored the critical roles of both leaders and citizens in fostering a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria.
