Easter: A new Nigeria shall rise, says Anambra Bishop
The Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Anambra Stat, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke has expressed optimism that new Nigeria shall rise and shine in Easter festivity through the power of God.
He criticized the recent government cash policy which he said got many Nigerians stranded.
According to Daily Post, the Bishop made this submission in his 2023 Easter message also describing the 2023 general election as a “dirty joke”.
The cleric stressed that Nigeria are facing difficulties and surviving issues that pose a threat to life – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Okpaleke pointed out that “unknown gunmen”, violent herdsmen, other criminal elements, galloping inflation, unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, among others are part of the issues ravaging the nation.
While commenting on the naira redesign policy, the Bishop said, “badly implemented” cash policy worsened matters, as Nigerians expended time and energy in banks or waited in markets for cash transfer to be confirmed before successful transaction could be achieved.
He also explained that Point of Sale operators exchanging physical cash for electronic cash at a higher rate to compensate for their rigorous effort to get money.
Okpaleke stated that the climax was the controversial 2023 general election, which “people hoped and worked to make a turning point for a better Nigeria”.
According to him, “Through criminal negligence, if not willful collusion of a few, this key element in a democracy was turned into a dirty joke that sullied the high hopes people had”, he said.
Cardinal Okpaleke, however expressed hope that a new Nigeria “shall rise and shine in Easter glory through the power of God”.
“A new Nigeria…where the citizenry live decently; a new Nigeria where justice shall flow like water and righteousness like a never-failing stream,” he added.