Evolve policies to boost economy, archbishop urges Buhari

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to evolve sound economic policies that would boost the nation’s economy.

Martins gave the advice in his Christmas message issued on Friday in Lagos.

He also advised the president to come out with a sound economic blue print that would arrest the depreciating value of the nation’s currency in the global market.

The cleric urged Buhari to pursue in earnest the diversification of the economy to make it more robust and investor-friendly.

“While the proposed budget recently presented to the National Assembly is encouraging, we hope its provisions, when passed, would be strictly followed and properly monitored so that we can get the required results,” he said.

Martins commended the president on the fight against corruption which ensured the recovery of the nation’s wealth.

He said that it was necessary for the government to implement policies that would impact positively on the lives of Nigerians without undue distraction.

“If you look around, it is obvious that Nigerians are truly suffering. Our economy is on its knees; the Naira has depreciated drastically while fuel scarcity pervades the whole country.

“Nigerians expect the Buhari-led government to rise up to the challenge of rebuilding the nation.

“ We are anxious to see a positive change that will begin to impact on the day-to-day life of Nigerians.

“We are seeing the beginning of trials of those alleged to have misapplied the nation’s money, we hope that the process will be quickly concluded.

“We should be able to get such funds brought back into the economy so that we can begin to focus on more positive things that are also happening in our nation.

“Let the anti-graft agencies and the courts work hard to bring offenders to book and recover the stolen wealth of the nation,” he said.

The archbishop also congratulated all Christians on the occasion of the birth of Christ as symbolised by the Christmas celebration.

He urged Nigerians to refuse to allow the present hard times to rob them of the joy of Yuletide.

The cleric urged all Nigerians to put their trust on Christ to restore the nation’s lost glory.