‘Unity Can Surmount Economic Recession’

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has underscored the need for Nigerians to work together in a common front to overcome the current economic recession.
He gave the charge during a special honour and award ceremony for distinguished Knights of St John by the Port Harcourt Commandery of the Catholic Church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Wike said, at this point in the nation’s history, unity was necessary to leap frog the country out of economic stagnation.
He said: “I am not an economist, but I know that if we present a united front, we will surmount our economic challenges”.
The governor also dismissed the negative reports about the security situation in Rivers State being orchestrated by entrenched political interests to create the wrong impression about the state.
The governor explained that the mass insecurity that has taken over almost all the states require collective attention, instead of the recourse to propaganda to vilify states like Rivers, for political reasons.
According to him, “I am happy that this programme has attracted Catholics from several states of the federation. As you can see, Rivers State is safe for people to live and do business. All the stories you read are merely planted for political reasons.
“Today in Nigeria, kidnapping has become the order of the day. From Lagos to Kogi, from Imo to Kaduna, from Ogun to Borno, there are different degrees of kidnapping and crime. In fact, in the case of one state, the Nigerian Air Force was deployed to bomb kidnappers. Today, the same Nigerian Air Force is involved in air surveillance on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway because of kidnappings.
“However, when two persons are kidnapped in Rivers State, it makes the front page. But if five persons are kidnapped in Lagos, the press hides it from the public. We are happy that more people now disregard the propaganda, and are trooping to Rivers State for the purpose of investment, conferences, religious and social events”, he said.
On the honour bestowed on different Knights, including Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court, the governor described it as an honour well deserved, and a call to greater service to the nation.
Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr Francis Odesanya, was also among the honourees.
In his remarks, former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), commended the Knights of Saint John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery for doing the right thing by recognizing a woman of substance who grew through the ranks to contribute her quota to the development of Nigeria.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion, Justice Paul Onumajulu, said the honour bestowed on the honourees was a call for greater service to humanity.
Prominent among those who witnessed the event include, the former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, former ministers, senior Knights from different states and members of the Rivers State Executive Council.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the present economy recession rocking the country will soon be tackled through legislative support.
Saraki, gave the assurance in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during an interaction with newsmen, while also affirming that Nigerians were really suffering.
According to him, the major preoccupation of the Senate upon resumption in September 20, will be on finding solutions to the economic recession.
“We are going to have an exhaustive and comprehensive debate on fixing the country’s economy when we resume next week.
“Already, all the economic priority bills are being analysed and collated so that we can hit the ground running when we resume. We understand the pains that Nigerians are going through and we do not take this for granted.
“Additionally, the Senate intends to invite everybody involved in the management of the economy to address the Nigerian people through the parliament on the steps that are being taken to get us out of this mess,” he said.
He said, “We fully intend to hold all those involved in the economic management of the country accountable.
“However, we will do so in a manner that is transparent and beneficial to the country as a whole”.
The Senate President said it was equally important to begin to formulate and actualise both legislative frameworks and executive policies to minimise the effects of the recession on Nigerians.
He added that it was also important for the parliament to start asking questions that will lead to plausible solutions.
“We need to ascertain our actual level of borrowing and what effect the devaluation of the naira has had on our economy.
“In every crisis, there is always an opportunity for positive reforms, in this regard, in order to solve this crisis, all hands must be on deck.
“Ideas should be sourced from all quarters, all arms of government, people of different political beliefs, from all socio-economic backgrounds and every part of Nigeria must work together at this time,” Saraki said.
He reiterated his call for a broader and bolder economic plan with input from both legislative and executive arms of government, the private sector and professional groups.
All the groups, according to him, must work together to put in place interventions that will create more jobs, strengthen the naira, bring more investment into the country, and attain fiscal responsibility.
Saraki harped on the need for Nigeria to rally its best economic minds both from within the country and in the Diaspora in order to tackle the economic recession.
“This recession does not identify with any one party, we need to tap into the expertise of our best economic minds to come up with plans that both the executive and the legislature can evaluate and implement”, he said.