The Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Mathew Ashimolowo, has asked the Federal Government to address the rising hunger and poverty ravaging the country.

Ashimolowo, who made the call at the birthday celebration of Apostle Lawrence Achudume held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Monday, lamented that there was a huge gap between the rich and the poor, a situation, he said, posed a danger to the country.

The cleric added that the high level of inflation faced by the nation and the depreciation in the naira value had adversely affected the purchasing power of the people.

Ashimolowo said, “There is great poverty in the land, and the gaps between the haves and the have-nots are too wide. This portents a grave danger as it is a time bomb only waiting to explode.

“The government needs to take urgent action to address the growing poverty among the generality of the people because the purchasing power of the people has been greatly eroded by the hyperinflation occasioned by dwindling fortunes of the naira.

“There is fire on the mountain, and unfortunately, nobody seems to be on the run. Something urgent must be done as the majority of the people now go to bed hungry.”

The cleric also lamented that religious leaders had deviated from the mandate of preaching the gospel of Christ, saying, “When I look at what is going on, I wonder if people are practising fake or genuine gospel.”

He described the celebrant as a learner and teacher who embodied the qualities of a good man.

“Another mark of a good man is that unusual prosperity always follows them; they are always a city leader and kingmaker and someone who commands respect and a prince above princes while they are always full of wisdom and truth and they are reputable and respected,” Ashimolowo said.

Dignitaries at the event included a representative of the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, immediate past Nigeria Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunji Isola, ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Osile of Okeona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; among others.