The Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria (KSM) has emphasised the need for the Federal Government to ensure that it keeps to its promise of taking Nigeria out of economic recession by first quarter of 2021. Besides, the KSM want the Federal Government to resolve without delay, the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has crippled academic activities across the country for several months. KSM made these demands during its 41st edition of the Annual Supreme Council Convention of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria (KSM) in Asaba, Delta State.
The convention tagged: “The Church and the Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic” had in attendance Most Rev. Dr. Donatus A. Ogun, OSA, Catholic Bishop of Uromi Diocese, who was the keynote speaker; while the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa declared the Convention opened. In a communiqué issued at the end of the Convention, KSM urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps to forestall a reoccurrence of economic recession in the immediate and foreseeable future by putting the nation’s economy on a sustainable growth path. The group expressed concern over the consistent occurrence of economic recession in Nigeria, “but we are encouraged by the assurance of the Federal Government that the country will get out of the recession by the end of the first Quarter of 2021”. KSM therefore enjoined the Federal Government to ensure that the palliatives meant for the masses actually get to them, adding that every effort should be made by government to avoid a reoccurrence of youths’ restiveness and the possibility of a far-reaching #EndSARS 2.
The group stated: “Government should step up efforts towards increase in public power supply and also ensure the availability of pre-paid meters. It should curtail the frequent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit. Similarly, the increase in electricity tariff should be reversed to alleviate the huge burden that the increase in tariff has imposed on the masses. “We condemn the spate of kidnapping, assassination and general insecurity in the polity and challenge the security agencies to rise up to the occasion and stop the burgeoning carnage and waste of precious human lives. We therefore call on the government to rethink its stance on the sustained clamour for it to re-jig its security apparatus with a view to re-energise and revitalise them for optimal efficiency.
“We reiterate our call for leaders at all levels of government to always ensure the qualities of transparency, accountability, independence of the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, real separation of powers, and to institute credible processes and reforms geared at enthroning enduring democracy and good governance”, the Order stated. Lamenting over the state of Nigeria’s education, KSM stated: “In view of the centrality of education in overall development and modern civilisation, we are piqued that the Government has allowed the on-going ASUU strike to linger. It is indeed disheartening that public Universities have not been in session for almost a year”.
