Bishop Francis Wale Oke, national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has called on the federal government to revive the nation’s refineries and the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Complex to boost the country’s economic prosperity.
PFN serves as an umbrella body for Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, promoting unity and cooperation.
Speaking in a press conference at its headquarters in Lagos, Oke emphasised that reliance on fuel imports has jerked up prices of goods and services, saying having functional refineries in the country would lead to decreased costs and improved living standards for Nigerians.
He also advocated for the revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel, stressing that Nigeria should surpass reliance on imported essential items like utensils and plates.
”According to Oke, a functional steel complex would positively impact the economy.
Oke expressed gratitude to God for preserving Nigeria’s unity and acknowledged the struggles and pain Nigerians are experiencing.
“First and foremost, we want to give glory to God for preserving Nigeria as one indivisible entity. What has happened to us in Nigeria? Half of it has happened to other nations, making them break and go to war. We do not want to mention the names of countries, but we are grateful to God despite all the pressure.
”We know that Nigerians are going through real pain, economic hardship and struggles. We are fully aware, part of the grassroots, and feel the pain. We are working, and we are praying. We want to admonish all Nigerians to be more patient.”
He assured citizens that the current hardship is temporary and will give way to a brighter future, saying, ”I want to bring you a message of hope that this period of pain and hardship will not last too long. It’s going to break. God’s word says that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Nigeria is going to break into greatness; there is a great future ahead of us.
Oke used the analogy of a pregnant woman nearing delivery to describe Nigeria’s situation, saying,
“Nigeria is like a woman that is pregnant and close to delivery, that is going through a birth bump, and by the mercy of God, a new Nigeria will be reborn, that will be good to all of us, everybody will thrive. So let’s continue to wait, continue to hope, and continue to pray.
He encouraged non-violent protests whenever such arose and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts to alleviate suffering.
Oke urged the President to expedite the implementation of the signed minimum wage increase, citing the significant pressure Nigerians face due to rising prices and stagnant wages.
