OMU-ARAN (KWARA) – Rt. Rev. Philip Adeyemo, the Bishop of the Cathedral of St Paul, Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with their newly elected leaders.
Adeyemo made the call in his sermon on the occasion marking Good Friday in Omu-Aran.
He said that it was only with such support and patience from the citizens that the leaders could keep their promises and move the country forward.
The religious leader said there were lots expectations on the leaders in view of the existing challenges, saying that they needed time to plan properly.
He said experiences had shown that in spite of the ovation that normally greeted every change in governance, the citizens were usually impatient as they expect instant result.
“Majority of Nigerians always welcome new government with open arms, with pomp and pageantry and full of expectations, to turn things around.
“We should also be mindful of the fact such government will have their challenges, so they needed some patience and support from Nigerians.
“Shagari, Abdusalam, Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan were received with thunderous ovation when they were elected but few years into their tenures we started complaining.
“I think this newly elected leaders deserve a lot of patience from Nigerians to achieve the desired development we are yearning for.”
The cleric emphasised that the feat achieve through the recent smooth democratic transition was a sign of God’s love God for the country.
He urged the citizens to move closer to God through prayers and shun acts capable of retarding the growth of the nation.
Meanwhile, in Lagos air passengers struggled to secure their flight tickets so as to celebrate the Easter with their loved ones.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several airlines have hiked their fares while touts at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 were indulging in brisk business to meet the travellers’ demand.
As early as 6.00a.m., the hundreds of passengers that arrived the domestic wing of the airport to catch their flights were left stranded due to their inability to secure tickets .
At the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), many passengers were seen waiting for an opportunity to obtain tickets.
NAN reports that passengers travelling to Abuja, Kano, Port Hacourt, Owerri, Asaba, Enugu, Warri, Calabar and Uyo were mostly affected.
It was gathered that the ticket for a one-hour flight was sold for N40,000 at the GAT instead of the average price of between N28,000 and N30,000.
Mr Damilola Smith, a passenger, complained that he had earlier tried to book through the website as advised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) but to no avail.
“I am not travelling today but I came to buy tickets for four members of my family. I have tried to book Aero economy online to no avail.
“The morning seats are now fully booked so I am here to see if I can still get cheap tickets,” Smith said.
Another passenger, Dr Olumide Faleti, said he purchased his return ticket for N46, 000, expressing regret that he could not afford to wait because of some business appointments.
An airline official confided with NAN that most of the airline had been over booked due to the high demand for flight ticket.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Mr Yakubu Dati,the FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, said on Wedneday that measures had been put in place by the authority to ensure a hitch-free movement of passengers during the Easter period.
Dati urged passengers to take advantage of Aviation Passengers’ Service Portal (PSP) to plan their trips.
He had said that intending air passengers could get information needed such as airline delays, on time departures and flight cancellations from the authority’s portal before embarking on their trips. (NAN)
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