In a remarkable move aimed at alleviating the impact of fuel subsidy removal and the prevailing economic hardship, Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has inaugurated a unique palliative market. Church members were afforded the opportunity to purchase essential goods and food items at drastically reduced prices during the launch on Sunday, November 26, 2023.
The establishment of this Palliative Market marks an unprecedented initiative within religious circles, demonstrating Primate Ayodele's commitment to supporting his congregation. The event witnessed an extraordinary display of generosity, as various commodities were made available at highly subsidized rates. For instance, a bag of Garri, typically valued at N16,000, was sold for a mere N1,000, while three tubers of Yam, valued at N10,000, were offered for N3,000. Furthermore, a bag of beans sold for N3,000, and a turkey, originally priced at N52,000, was made accessible for N17,000. Other deals included bags of Poundo Yam and Semovita for N5,000 and N2,000 respectively, as well as a bag of rice for N3,000.
It is worth noting that this program was launched following Primate Ayodele's monthly practice of distributing free food items to all church members. Today, as per tradition, every individual left with provisions such as rice, beans, garri, eggs, yams, and more, courtesy of the complimentary food service.
During the Palliative Market launch, Primate Ayodele strongly criticized both federal and state governments for misleading citizens with ineffective palliative plans that failed to provide direct assistance. He denounced the government's deceitful, corrupt, and fraudulent approach to implementing palliative measures that ultimately proved fruitless.
"The government has disregarded its duty to alleviate the consequences of fuel subsidy removal, a problem they themselves created. The people are enduring immense suffering, unable to afford basic sustenance. Despite the government's claims of implementing palliatives, numerous communities are plagued by poverty, driving their residents to beg for food," Primate Ayodele passionately expressed.
"The so-called palliatives are nothing but corruption. The funds and food materials the government purportedly distributed are fraudulent. The populace is trapped in poverty and destitution, while the government remains indifferent. It is truly disheartening," he added.
Furthermore, Primate Ayodele emphasized that, in addition to fulfilling his social responsibility, the purpose of his palliative market was to demonstrate to the government the proper way to assist the people. He firmly believed that the government had profoundly missed the mark.
"I am undertaking this initiative because the government has failed in its responsibilities. I am contributing my part to society to assist the government in executing its duties. If they are unaware of how to do it effectively, we will show them the way. This serves as a blueprint for the government to follow. Widespread hunger plagues our nation, and by reducing it to a certain extent, we can alleviate economic hardships," Primate Ayodele concluded.
