Pastor Adewale Giwa, Senior Pastor of The Second Coming of Christ’s Ministry, has made a heartfelt plea to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerian politicians to prioritize compassion and alleviate the suffering of the masses. Speaking during a live programme on Glow 99.1 FM in Akure, Ondo State, the cleric highlighted the growing financial burden on Nigerians, exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies.
Pastor Giwa expressed disappointment, noting that Nigerians had high expectations of President Tinubu given his pre-presidency success. He questioned why someone so accomplished would implement policies causing widespread hardship.
With the subsidy removal, Nigerians now spend between N30,000 to N40,000 to fuel their cars compared to N5,000 to N10,000 before,” Giwa said. “Since 1999, Tinubu is the most successful person to assume the presidency. Nigerians were expecting relief, not suffering, from someone already so comfortable.
The pastor urged the President to consider the plight of citizens heavily reliant on petroleum for survival. With inadequate electricity forcing many to depend on generators, the rising cost of living has left many struggling to make ends meet.
Pastor Giwa also called out politicians and philanthropists who wait until the Christmas season to distribute palliatives. He argued that true generosity should be a year-round practice, not confined to a single festive period.
Waiting until Christmas to give palliatives shows a lack of genuine compassion, he remarked. Those with the gift of giving should extend their hand to the poor throughout the year, not just during December. True giving is not driven by seasonal opportunities but by a spirit of selflessness.
He urged politicians and well-meaning Nigerians to cultivate a consistent culture of giving, emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs of the less privileged all year round.
Pastor Giwa’s comments come in the wake of tragic stampedes at food distribution events across the country, including incidents in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja.
In Okija, Anambra State, 20 people lost their lives during a rice distribution event. Similarly, a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, resulted in multiple fatalities. These incidents, Pastor Giwa argued, underscore the need for a more structured and consistent approach to supporting the poor, rather than seasonal handouts that often lead to chaos.
Pastor Giwa concluded by calling on those in positions of power to prioritize the welfare of the masses, particularly as the nation grapples with economic challenges. He expressed hope that Nigeria could still achieve prosperity if its leaders embrace compassion and prioritize the needs of the vulnerable.