Bishops warn that neglecting local farmers undermines food security and fuels instability.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to support local farmers with subsidies and security instead of relying on food imports. Outgoing President, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, made the call at the close of the 2026 First Plenary Assembly Mass in Abuja.
Ugorji stressed that imports may temporarily lower prices but hurt farmers who invest loans into their farms. He recommended subsidies for fertilizers, equipment, and tools to make production cheaper and sustainable.
The bishops also flagged illegal mining and bunkering as funding terrorism and urged deployment of advanced monitoring and “Mining Marshals” to protect resources for the common good. They condemned recent massacres in Woro and Nuku, Kwara, and ongoing kidnappings across northern states, calling for modern surveillance, better intelligence, and swift prosecution of terrorists.
On governance, CBCN demanded real-time transmission of election results via BVAS and IReV to restore voter confidence. They also highlighted the 2026 Lenten season coinciding with Ramadan as an opportunity for interfaith harmony.
The plenary announced new leadership: Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso as CBCN President, with Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins as Vice President. Bishops emphasized that “a better Nigeria is possible” if leaders prioritize service and the common good.
Leave a comment