THE Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), The Rt. Rev James Olusola Odedeji has called on the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to focus on translating the rebased Nigerian economy to positively affect the living standard of the people.
Odedeji also urged Buhari to tackle the menace of corruption, insecurity and epileptic power situation plaguing the country and put her on the path of progress and development.
The Bishop spoke yesterday at the First Session of the Sixth Synod of the diocese held at Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos State, with the theme “Looking Unto Jesus”.
He frowned at the fact that Nigeria had been named the biggest economy in Africa after the rebasing of the economy but still has over 80 per cent of its citizens living below poverty level.
He noted that as sweet and beautiful the news might have sounded in the ears, the developed economies of the world still regard the country as a poor country and a failed state.
Odedeji called on the incoming administration to ascertain the true status of the economy, adding, “an economy where major players are self-centred, soaked with corruption, lack vision and are politically motivated, could not be said to be moving near development.”
He added: “The new government must move away from the status quo of import dominated to export oriented economy. Our economy must be diversified in such a way that our dependence on crude oil as the major source of revenue need be addressed. Agriculture, which was the main stay of our economy both at Nigeria’s independence, and post-independence era, must attract the attention of the incoming government. All economic leakages must be blocked.”
Odedeji further urged the incoming government to take decisive steps in addressing the issue of electricity. Stating that the people’s hopes of steady power supply after the sector was privatised were dashed with the current sorry situation of the sector.
Odedeji noted: “We are therefore beginning to feel that privatisation may not be the solution after all. We hope the right step will be taken by the incoming government to address this all important problem.”
While reminding Buhari that the citizens would expect much from his administration when sworn in, he admonished him to take the fight against corruption very serious, noting that it is only when the menace is stamped out that the country can stand tall among the comity of nations.
