In a nation grappling with inflation, high cost of living, and uncertainty over reforms, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reached for a metaphor that cut deeper than statistics.
Speaking before Catholic bishops and the faithful in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, he likened Nigeria’s current struggles to the slow, painstaking construction of a cathedral—stone by stone, prayer by prayer.
Akpabio, alongside Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, appealed to Nigerians to endure the pain of the present with faith in a brighter tomorrow.
Their remarks came at the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, a gathering often seen as a moral compass for the nation.
Akpabio’s Cathedral Metaphor
In his message, Akpabio acknowledged the hardship biting Nigerians but insisted that economic and political reforms are laying the groundwork for future prosperity.
“Do not despair when the winds blow strongly or the scaffolding shakes,” he urged.
“For a nation is like a mighty cathedral, it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand. Let us, therefore, renew hope in the Nigerian enterprise.”
He called on citizens to resist despair, mend divisions, and look beyond cynicism, emphasizing that transformation cannot rest on the shoulders of government alone but must be a shared responsibility of Church, State, and citizens.
Akume’s Assurance
Representing President Bola Tinubu at the event, SGF George Akume reinforced the message of patience and hope. He assured that government reforms—though painful now—are designed to stabilize the economy, attract investment, and deliver long-term benefits.
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“This administration came into office with a firm commitment to renew hope, strengthen our democratic institutions, and build a Nigeria that works for all,” Akume said. “We have taken bold steps to stabilise the economy, attract investment, and implement reforms that will bring enduring benefits.”
Why This Matters
The appeals come at a time when Nigerians are voicing growing concerns over soaring prices, joblessness, and poverty levels. For many, the Senate President’s cathedral imagery resonated as both a reminder of resilience and a challenge to endure what feels like endless hardship. Yet, critics argue that metaphors and promises may not be enough without visible relief measures on the ground.
The Patient Dog
As the bishops listened and citizens watched from afar, Akpabio’s message rang clear: the nation’s journey will be long, difficult, and sometimes turbulent.
But like the patient rise of a cathedral’s walls, Nigeria’s future—he insisted—will eventually tower above the current crisis. Whether that future comes soon enough for struggling Nigerians remains the pressing question.
