By Inyali Peter
The solution to the current economic crisis facing the country can be mitigated at all levels if youths take advantage of opportunities in Agriculture says Odey Ochicha, the Cross River State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the 2015 general elections.
Ochicha in a reaction to the reported rise in crime rate across the country urged youths to support efforts by government to diversify the economy and blamed the “alarming” rate of unemployment on the wait for white collar jobs by graduates.
Calling on Nigerians to support government instead of playing a style of politics which he tagged “Pull him down”, Ochicha said that: “Nigeria is going through a stage that requires the support of everybody that means 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”.
Commending the breakthrough in dialogue between militants in the Niger Delta and the federal government, Ochicha pointed out 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 to calm the boys down”, he said.
Also, Ochicha who was reluctant to speak on the legal battle between Governor Ben Ayade and Barr. Joe Agi, however condemned the brandishing of a coffin with the inscription “RIP Joe” during a recent solidarity match in support of the governor.
“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 said.