Prof. Motunrayo Olumakaiye, President, Women and Girls Organisation Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion), has urged the Federal Government to address the recurring problems of power for the growth of the nation’s economy.
Olumakaiye, gave this advice at a three- day Centenary Women Conference of the diocese held on Friday at the Faith Plaza CMS Road, Bariga, Lagos.
The president, who presided over the conference, with the theme; “Stronger, Deeper, and Higher”, saidthat a state of emergency should be declared in the power sector.
According to the wife of the Diocesan Bishop, businesses will thrive, industries folding-up or relocating to neighbouring countries will stay; as industries and small businesses thrive, it will boost employment generation.
“Youth unemployment will reduce drastically, youth unrest and crime rate will go down. Electricity plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the nation, but its consumption in Nigeria is far above the supply.
“This has made the country to suffer acute perennial electricity problems, that remained an hindrance to the nation’s economic prosperity and national development.
“I appeal to the Federal Government to look more critically into the power sector, perhaps over and above some others. If necessary, a state of emergency should be declared in the sector.
“Any government that is able to solve the problems of power willi definitely win the people’s admiration and loyalty and such shall be the people’s government,” she said.
Olumakaiye urged the government to do more in the area of youth unemployment, as according to him, a nation that does not invest in the future of her youths is only investing in civil unrest.
“When our youths are employed, crime rate and criminality will reduce, kidnapping will reduce, ritual killings, thuggery and vandalism will also reduce.
“An online publication of January puts the youth unemployment rate in Nigeria at a 36.50 per cent as at the third quarter of 2018, dropping slightly from an alarming 38 per cent in the second quarter of 2018.
“Those are not comforting figures, as they remain worrisome indices of a challenging tomorrow,” she said.
Also speaking, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, urged Nigerians to put their trust in God, saying that the challenges Nigerians were facing would soon be a thing of the past.
“I must say that the theme for this conference must have been chosen under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit because it is very appropriate for our time and season.
“When God promises us any good thing, He is faithful to bring it to pass. It might take time, but it will surely come to pass at God’s own time.
“God requires everyone of us to put our absolute trust in Him in all situations. We need to learn to look away from the ugly situations around us and focus only on Jesus Christ,” she said.
