Odey Ochicha
Inyali Peter|11 October 2016
Cross River state APC governorship candidate in the 2015 general election, Mr. Odey Ochicha has advised young people in the country to take advantage of the current economic recession facing the country by embracing the opportunities in Agriculture.
Ochicha who was speaking in reaction to the increase of crime rates across the country noted that the best and only solution to the current economic crisis is for the youths to support the efforts of the federal government to diversify the economy.
He maintained that, the culture of Nigerian graduates always wanting to secure white collar job has contributed greatly to the alarming rate of unemployment in the country.
The APCÂ stalwart advised that at this critical state of the country, every well meaning and patriotic Nigerian should think of how they can help government rather than the achaic politics of "Pull Him Down" syndrome.
According to him, "Nigeria is going through a stage that requires the support of everybody that mean well for this country to contribute in one way or the other to support the strong will of the federal government to diversify our economy.
The youths especially have a critical role to play here. The culture of every graduates, even those who studied agriculture wanting to secure an office job won't help us therefore, young people should take advantage of the opportunities the recession is presenting and embrace agriculture.
"The bible says every development is a blessing, this recession could just become and is actually a blessing in disguise for us".
While commending militants in the Niger Delta and the federal government over the recent breakthrough in the dialogue which has seen some militants surrendering their weapons, Ochicha stressed that the incessant blowing up of oil facilities over the past few months has contributed in no small measure to the economic difficulties facing the country at present.
"We need to be sincere to ourselves; the activities of militants in the Niger Delta has contributed heavily to our dwindling economy. So I commend the federal government and elders from the zone who have been able calm the boys down", he said.
Ochicha who was reluctant to speak on the legal battle between Governor Ben Ayade and Barr. Joe Agi, SAN however condemned the activities of Cross River youths especially, the brandishing of a coffin with the inscription " RIP Joe Agi " during a recent solidarity match in support of the governor.
He said "There is nothing wrong in the people showing solidarity with their leader. But why take it to the extreme? They are certain things we do as leaders that the implication may hunt us down forever.
"From everything that happened, it is obvious the rally was stage managed. I don't know how this will change anything about the criminal charges preffered against the governor. The entire exercise was childish, irresponsible and unnecessary" he opined and advised the youths to channel such energy into more productive ventures rather than allow themselves to be used and dumped as has been the hallmark of some politicians in Nigeria.
Inyali Peter
Writes from Calabar
