As the Abosso Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ observes its 85th anniversary, the Church Diocesan Overseer, Bishop Samuel Fornatee Nugba, has called on the Liberian government to provide adequate job opportunities for it’s citizens and seek their welfare amid the harsh economic challenges in the country. Speaking at the official climax of the Church’s 85th anniversary celebration on Sunday, September 29, 2024 in the Borough of New Kru Town, Bishop Nugba highlighted the poor living conditions of Liberians across the country as something that needs the urgent attention of the government. He indicated that amid the reopening of schools across the country, many children are yet to enroll due to the lack of school fees, while their parents are struggling with what he described as “hand to mouth” businesses to raise fees and at the same time handle other pressing economic needs for their families. According to him, not much intervention have been done by the Unity Party led-administration to improve the local businesses, healthcare delivery, education, roads, infrastructure development among others. “I can’t say the government has not done anything, but from my observation and what I see daily, the government has to do more for its citizens because it is the responsibility of every national government to provide for its citizens, no matter their affiliation in society,” he said. The Cleric further revealed that in light of the many challenges faced by parents, the Bishop L. J. Barnes Mission school which is owned and operated by the Church, is providing scholarships to over 100 school going kids whose parents are in the Church, as well as others residing in the nearby communities as a means of buttressing the efforts of government. Bishop Nugba, who is also the Board Chair of the school, stressed that the school continues to provide quality education and help students whose parents cannot afford, adding that since the establishment of the institution, the government has not provided a dime as subsidy to help the school. “This is why the government cannot dictate to us on what we should charge as a school fee, because nothing they give as a subsidy. However, we are not using this refusal of the government to provide subsidies to schools to exploit parents; our fees are very affordable,” he said. He then urged Liberians to stay focused in their challenges and tackle whatever difficulties that they may be experiencing in the absence of needed opportunities. “Trust in God and believe that He will provide your needs even if the government neglects you”. At the same time, Bishop Nugba has described his ascendency to the position of Bishop of the Church as a tough and rocky journey marked by false accusations from those who opposed his elevation. Accordingly, the Church split into two factions; one group left along with several of the congregation to establish their own church, while the other who supported his vision and leadership, stayed with him in running the Church. “We arrived at the theme, ‘God will provide’ to reflect on the three different breakaways we had in the past before reaching our 85th anniversary today. God has blessed our administration, his people and continued to provide for the Church to in return to help the needy. He also encouraged his members to always remember that despite their struggle in pursuing secondary or tertiary education, handle their bills, and take care of other pressing domestic and personal needs as well as positively impact the larger society, God never leaves his people in the midst of danger, as such, He shall supply their needs and wants in abundance. Bishop Nugba disclosed that as part of the Church own intervention to address some essential issues aimed at reducing some of their burdens, the Church continues to provide scholarships for many children whose parents cannot afford school fees. He continued: “We have the regular or academic school and vocational school where both community dwellers and members of the Church attend to acquire vocational skills for self-economic empowerment.” According to him, the Church also built a clinic to seek the medical well-being of the congregation and their kids, noting that all services rendered to those members are absolutely free of charge. Meanwhile, in climaxing the Church’s anniversary, Bishop Nugba presented certificates to some dedicated members of the Church, as well as prominent citizens that include the Governor of the Borough of New Kru Town, Robert B. Teah, for his humanitarian services to the country and it’s people, among others.