Good leadership Can Revive Nigeria’s Dwindling Economy –ODOGBO

By ODEYA OGBETUO

The General Overseer of Shelter of Christ Mission, Bishop Dr. Pere-Egbe Odogbo (JP), has said that Nigeria could overcome her present economic challenges with good leadership.

Bishop Odogbo who stated this while rounding-off the 33rd anniversary and 2024 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Church headquarters, Ugboroke -Effurun, Delta State, assured that things could change for better if necessary economic policies are applied.

Bishop Odogbo further said that wrong application of economic policies and mismanagement by our leaders have been the bane of this country and not lack of resources, adding that the absence of competent and resourceful leaders to pilot the affairs of Nigeria will continue to keep Nigeria as an underdeveloped country with large number of her people wallowing in poverty and misery.

He noted that the rising cost of petrol and cooking gas have posed a significant threat to the livelihood of millions of Nigerians, stressing that this predicament has led to hyper-inflation and increased poverty rate with negative consequences.

Dr. Odogbo stated that these negative economic consequences could be reversed and that will lead to an improved living condition of the Nigerian masses.

He affirmed that the economic challenges facing Nigerians are man-made, insisting that God has already endowed Nigeria with abundant resources but bad leadership with wrong application of economic policies have retarded the economic growth of this country and this has also crumbled the nation’s economy.

“There is no economy that grows through taxation and importation of most essential goods, rather the government should focus on production as a way to revamp the economy. Prayers cannot solve the problems of this country because God has given us resources, ability and knowledge to solve our problems, but our leaders are not ready and willing to solve our problems. Rather, they even increased and compounded the problems as millions of Nigerians are facing multidimensional poverty.”

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Bishop Odogbo who is the president of Niger Delta Communities Intercessors Group said that people who know the right things to do but fail to do them because of whatever consideration are not helping this country, adding that our leaders (government) should galvanize the resources to develop this country rather than pilfering the wealth of this country.

“Our resources should be geared towards construction of good roads, schools, improved electricity supply, health facilities, security and massive production of goods to drastically reduce inflation and abject poverty in the country.”

He disclosed that leaders who do not listen to the cry of the poor and suffering masses are not God’s chosen leaders.

“The Nigerian masses have expressed disappointment over the dwindling economy and severe hardship they face on a daily basis. There is increasing insecurity, kidnapping, banditry; unknown gunmen and marauding herdsmen have compounded the nation’s woes as manufacturing and agriculture have also dwindled.”

Dr. Odogbo noted that some aggrieved Nigerians have asked whether the government (FG) sought the face of God before implementing their policies that brought intolerable hardship to the people, adding that prayers are good but our leaders need to be committed in implementing positive policies and apply prudent management of the resources for the benefit of all Nigerians.

In her brief exhortation, Pastor (Mrs) Mercy Pere-Egbe Odogbo urged women to always be on their knees praying to God for their family and assist their husband in whatever capacity they could.

She said that when the devil attacks any of them, they should cry to God in prayer because He is the only one who has power to liberate and bless them.