BEVERLY HILLS, February 04, (THEWILL) – Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh has stated that the present economic downturn should make leaders of the country avoid ostentatious lifestyles and provide good governance for their people.
Okoh, who spoke on Wednesday at the opening of the standing committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) held in Kubwa, Abuja, advised the federal government to take advantage of the dwindling oil price to diversify the economy.
His words, “It is clear that government revenue is going down in view of the dwindling price of oil in the world market. We lament that over the years, in spite of wise counsel from different quarters to invest the oil revenue in profitable infrastructures to sustain the government, not much was done in this regard.
“We now call on all to cut our coat according to our cloth and throw away false living. The government should now expedite action in the diversification of our economy before everything collapses.
“However, the government should resist administering the country based on foreign or IMF ideas because an experience has shown that it produces nothing but extreme suffering and brings humiliation to the people. A good example is Greece.”
While calling on state Governors who are toying with the idea of laying down their workers to rescind their decision, the Church leader reminded “government of its promise to tackle unemployment whatever the difficulties. Government should expedite action in this direction so that our young people can make meaningful contribution to society.
“We wish to lend our voice to that of the Nigeria Labour Congress that retrenchment of workers should not be an option at this time, as it might aggravate the crime level,” he said.
Okoh further called for a holistic approach in the current fight against corruption by the federal government, commending the government on the war especially in the area of blocking all sources of leakages in the national revenue.
Okoh said the church would continue to identify with the government on the crusade, asserting that God has blessed Nigeria with all it takes to number among the best countries in the world.
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