The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Oliver Aba, has urged the Federal Government to use the proceeds from subsidy removal to revive industries across the country.
Aba made the call in Abuja on Sunday in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of an award ceremony for 78 outstanding members of the church.
The prelate said that rather than sharing monies and foodstuffs as palliatives, government should use the money to make industries work.
“I would have loved the government to change their mind and begin to think about reviving the ailing industries so that there will be job opportunities for our teaming population,” he added.
According to him, the money and food items being shared as palliatives will only provide temporary relief to citizens.
56 members of the church were raised to Knights of John Wesley, four as Knight of Charles Wesley, and 11 members conferred with the Order of the Wesley while seven were made Member of the Order of the Wesleys.
The Secretary, Methodist Conference, Archbishop Taiwo Babatunde said that the awardees had been given a task to defend the church.
He said that it was the culture of the church to take people with proven integrity, strong religious and moral values who have supported the church and make them knights.
“I believe they are going to go back again to impart what Methodism is all about; the principle of discipline, hard work, perseverance.
“Methodist believe in equity, fairness and justice, and I believe these people that you have seen today been decorated by our church, are people that we can vouch for.
“There are people that have clean record, they are people that are willing to turn this whole nation to a better nation,” he said.
Some of the awardees who spoke to newsmen said that they were grateful for the honour, adding that it would spur them to do more for the church.
One of the awardees, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein said it would further spur her to contribute to nation building.
Madein, who is the Accountant-General of the Federation, she would ensure accountability, transparency and probity in the discharge of her responsibilities.
Also, a former Chief Justice of the Federation, Walter Onnoghen said that he would continue to serve the church and society in any capacity.
Another awardee, Sir Ohaeri Osondu, said he was humbled by the elevation.
“I feel humbled because I started as a secretary at the youth level, then I stepped up to the choirs then I was president of one or two organizations.
“That was what God used to put me in this level and I feel very fulfilled and I thank God for the church for choosing me for this honor,” he said.
