The Archbishop of the Province of Niger and Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, said on Saturday that poverty and hunger are major threats to the nation’s peace and unity.

Ibezim said this while delivering the Archbishop’s Charge during the 2nd Session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, in Awka.

He, therefore, urged the authorities to make concerted efforts to ameliorate the economic and security challenges faced by the populace.

He said that it was unfortunate that, despite the efforts of the federal government, the prices of foodstuffs and other essential items had continued to rise.

Ibezim described the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as one bereft of the necessary values for the economy and called on Mr President to overhaul his economic policies.

He appealed to President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on poverty and hunger in the country.

He also called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.

“The pains faced by Nigerians are compounded by the weakening naira due to the forex exchange situation and increases in the pump price of fuel, cooking gas, kerosene and electricity tariffs.

“Time is now for the leadership of the country to avert the looming danger. Nigeria is rapidly on the way to economic and political perdition, May God help our nation, Nigeria.

“The truth remains that injustice sets back a nation and once an ideology about injustice is imbibed in a people, no amount of force can quell it unless justice is done,” he said.

‘Hunger, poverty threat to national unity’ – Anglican Bishop Ibezim