The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria, Most Revd Joseph Akinfenwa has told the federal government that hunger could force Nigerians to steal.
Akinfenwa stated this in the bishop’s charge delivered at the first session of the 22nd Synod of the diocese, entitled, “Anglican Heritage: an Enviable Heritage”, held at Cathedral Church of St James the Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan.
The bishop said, “This government has a laudable anti-corruption agenda. However, government must remember that it is difficult to preach virtue in the presence of extreme hunger and deprivation.
“A hungry man is not interested in any sermon; he wants food first of all.
“Therefore, to harp on moral rectitude amidst the citizenry while ignoring the constriction of economic opportunities in the land is to unwittingly create a breeding ground for even more insidious corruption.
“When hunger becomes life threatening, even saints may be tempted to steal.”
According to him, the social interventions in the country must go beyond given token and must be all encompassing.
