Efio-Ita Nyok|24 September 2016
Nigeria's economy has now seen two consecutive quarters of declining growth, the definition of recession in the usual sense. This is owing to the fact that the latest growth figures shows the economy contracted 2.06% between April and June.
There have been numerous suggestions to the federal government as to how the economic downturn can be resolved. Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has suggested that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) company being national assets should be sold off albeit temporarily. Nigeria's Governor's Forum, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, etc have okayed the suggestion.
However, one former student union leader at the University of Calabar, Yala-born Odama Patrick Ojeka who has been Financial Secretary of the University of Calabar Students Union Government (UNICAL SUG) has rather suggested that the President should 'sell' the National Assembly comprising both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Ojeka made his opinion known yesterday through a social media thread that reads in part, 'the only way Nigerians can come out of this economic recession within one week is to sell the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. Truth is bitter'.
Ojeka's position may seem outrageous but he is not entirely alone in this kind of thinking as recently Sen. Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central senatorial district at the Senate countered Dangote and co by submitting that, 'The proponents are economic predators and parasites who wants to profit from the recession'. Beyond this suspicion, Ojeka may be interpreted to be saying that the financial weight of the national assembly is becoming increasingly and unnecessarily heavy for Nigeria’s economy. It reminds one of #OccupyNASS. What does the reader think of Ojeka's submission? Should national assets be sold to salvage our failing economy?
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of NegroidHaven.org
