The Founder of Vision Africa International and Co-chair of the InterFaith Dialogue for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, has called on the Federal Government to address the rising cases of hunger and injustice in Nigeria, warning that failure to resolve these issues could lead to dire consequences.
The Methodist Bishop made the call during a Christmas get-together organized for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Chapter, in Umuahia on Monday.
Bishop Onuoha also reiterated his appeal for a political solution to the detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He said: “I firmly believe that the resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu case lies in a political solution. We must all advocate for a peaceful and political approach to address this matter.
“This is the time to urge the Federal Government to heed our call and explore a political resolution to bring lasting peace and unity.”
The Methodist Bishop lamented the prevalence of deaths caused by stampedes during charity events, attributing the tragedies to hunger and economic inequality.
He emphasized the need for urgent interventions to alleviate the suffering of citizens, particularly the unemployed and impoverished.
“In this country, people are searching desperately for rice, and some have even lost their lives in the process. We’ve seen this tragedy happen in the North, the West, and the East. This is not a tribal issue; it is a national crisis.
“We are faced with grave injustice. While some individuals have hoarded billions in their accounts, waiting for another political cycle, the majority are languishing in poverty and hunger.
“I pray that we never reach a point where the poor rise in unison and barricade all the Government Houses across the country.
“When the oppressed and hungry masses rise, no force can contain their anger. This is the time for our leaders to understand that the poor are not only hungry; they are angry. Action must be taken before it is too late,” Bishop Onuoha warned.
He thanked journalists for the critical roles they play in building a better society and pledged to maintain a strong relationship between Vision Africa International and the media.
Contributing, the Chief Operations Officer of Vision Africa Radio, Sarafina Nwokonnta, highlighted Vision Africa International’s impact on education and healthcare, particularly within the Umuahia Custodial Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
Nwokonnta revealed that six inmates from the custodial center recently graduated from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) through the Nigerian Correctional Services and the NOUN Educational Program, adding that five of them earned Second Class Upper honors.
She stated that these achievements are part of Vision Africa’s efforts to reform inmates through education, pointing out that the organization funded the inmates’ education, including their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees.
Nwokonnta further disclosed Vision Africa’s efforts in advocating for inmates whose sentences may have been unjust, with the aim of securing justice for such individuals.
She highlighted that beyond prison reform, Vision Africa International has spearheaded initiatives by distributing menstrual hygiene kits and educating girls on reproductive health to improve menstrual hygiene among girls in rural communities.
Nwokonnta further stated that Vision Africa also provides medical services to the elderly with eye problems and partners with orphanages like Uzuakoli Orphanage to supply essential facilities.
She added that the organization collects used textbooks through radio campaigns and redistributes them to needy schoolchildren across the state.
The NUJ Abia Council Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye, in his speech, commended Bishop Onuoha for fostering collaboration by hosting journalists and pledged that the NUJ would sustain its partnership with Vision Africa International for the betterment of society.
