National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. John Odigie-Oyegun says that God might have a hand in Nigeria’s present economic downturn intended to remind Nigeria the need to implement and embrace drastic change, particularly in the country’s economic model.
Odigie-Oyegun made this statement when Change Agents Foundation (CAF), an APC support group led by its Director-General, Dr. Felix Felix paid him a courtesy visit at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
“I think God has a hand in the current economic predicament of the country. Imagine the sudden fall in the price of crude oil, the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, from its heights in 2014, averaging $112 per barrel down to the current price of $28 per barrel — lower than the $38 per barrel which the proposed 2016 budget is predicated on. It is an object lesson for us. It tells us that we must embrace radical change in our economic model.”
He said the drop in oil price has taken its toll on the revenue and expenditure of the Federal Government and as a result is having a severe effect on the economy.
According to him, “the concept of change is a difficult one. Nigeria must be ready to adapt to new ways of doing things. As a party, we know and understand it calls for tremendous sacrifice, there is no other way. Yes the economy is in a bad shape, but maybe that is the kick we need to be innovative and find ways to drive the economy out of the woods.
“The luck we have is that we have as president a man committed to personal probity and sincerity of purpose to the project of developing Nigeria. Today, we must think and be innovative in ways of fashioning out new economic models which diversifies from the present over reliance on oil.
“We are in the process of organising a three-day dialogue which will bring the party, government and stakeholders for an exposition on the realities facing the country, particular the economy. It will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas so that we go home with a clear direction on how to go forward.”
The Director-General, Change Agents Foundation (CAF), Dr. Felix Felix congratulated the APC National Chairman for leading the APC to victory at the last presidential election which ushered in the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
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