Fatimat Haliru —

The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Calabar has called on the federal government to postpone the 2023 population and housing census billed to hold next month.

In a 9-point communique issued at the end of it’s 47th Annual Synod, the church held that there’s been high level insecurity in the country, one of the reasons they called for suspension of the exercise.

They pointed out that some areas in the country are being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and other undesirable elements

He explained further that these elements do visit mayhem and their reign of terror on the helpless inhabitants.

“Therefore, it would be impossible for the census enumerators to access such trouble spots.

“Synod calls for the putting on hold of the nationwide population census slated to commence on the 3rd May, 2023 pending when the security will improve”, the MCN said.

The Synod noted the high unemployment rate in Nigeria and called on President Buhari to revive the economy.

They advised the youths and unemployed to engage in skills acquisition and employ same to earn dignified livelihood and escape the clutches of poverty and frustration.

The Synod frowned at the harsh economic situation in the country where majority of the citizenry exist on the breadline.