Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, has said the Federal Government must take responsibility for the country’s economy plunging into a recession and develop a clear economic plan that will enable the country move away from such situation.
The Ooni’s position was contained in his Christmas/New Year message, which was issued in a statement by Moses Olafare, the Oodua palace’s Director of Media and Public Affairs.
According to the monarch, who is also the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, the current economic reality in the country is disheartening.
He explained that he hopes for an economic turnaround for the country in 2021, but stated that a clear economic policy is needed to revive the country.
He also urged the government to develop and implement youth emancipation programmes.
The statement partly read: “We started this year 2020 with a lot of hopes and aspirations, particularly on the country getting it right economically towards the prosperity of the entire citizenry, but unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic crept in, sinking the economy in another recession. It has happened this way, and the only way out is for the government to take responsibility.
“Government policies must be executed in a way that standard of living of the citizens, particularly the youths is upgraded which will, in turn, reduce the crime rate in the country.”
Nigeria’s economy entered its second recession in five years in November.
