Pope urges Nigerian churches to lead campaign against poverty, environmental degradation

The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis I, has urged Nigerian churches to lead in the campaign against poverty and environmental degradation in order to ensure economic growth and sustainable development.

The Pontiff noted that environmental degradation and poverty were closely related and inseparable, hence the need for an aggressive campaign against the menace.

He spoke, Sunday, at the Benue State edition of the World Day of Prayer for Care and Creation, organized by the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, and held at St. John’s Catholic Church, Gboko.

The Pontiff, who was represented by Most Rev. Avenya, decried the recent flooding in parts of the country and the suffering inflicted on victims of the disaster. He urged relevant authorities in the country to take steps to avert its re-occurrence.

Earlier, Benue State Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Nick Wende, said tackling flood-related issues was the collective responsibility of all and sundry as the contribution of all was pertinent in checking environmental hazards.