What FG must do to stop kidnapping, revive economy –Ayorinde

The General Overseer/Founder of the World Evangelism Bible Church (WEBIC), Prophet Samson Ayorinde, has listed a more collaboration among the security agencies as the way forward for the country to stop the kidnapping menace across the country.

He also gave tips on how to revive the economy. Ayorinde spoke to journalists in his Lagos office where he briefed them on his church activities.

Nigeria has been facing increased menace of banditry especially kidnapping lately.

Speaking to the media, Ayorinde said the Federal Government should approach the National Assembly for a death penalty law.

“Anyone who engaged in kidnapping and found guilty by the court should face public execution. In the 1960s, when armed robbers operated at will, the military regime of the era came out with the death penalty that applies till today. Hardened criminals like Oyenusi and Lawrence Anini were publicly executed. Armed robberies were reduced. Death penalty should be able to deter and curb the spate of kidnappings

“It’s a thing of joy that our security agencies are into more collaboration these days. When terrorists face soldiers on the ground, Air Force fighter jets should complement efforts of their colleagues by bombing the enemies. Such collaboration, reports said has frustrated terrorists who want to ambush soldiers. The government should sustain it.

  “The Federal Government should also deepen ties with our foreign friends such as the United States, Britain and France to help us in the war against kidnappings. I was delighted hearing that the Trump administration sent dozens of American soldiers to help us. We need the assistance now that the criminals operate anyhow. Besides, we should relate with Ukraine in the supply of cheap and efficient drones, the modern warfare weapon that is changing prosecution of wars these days.

“If we really want to deal with kidnappers, Nigeria should embrace state police. The personnel will complement their federal counterparts. Developed countries like US, UK  and Canada have state and regional police. I advise our National Assembly to hasten work on the law in making state police a reality in the country.

Also speaking on the economy, he noted: “Government’s efforts in resuscitating the economy are being thwarted by sabotage. Officials should track them and deal with them decisively. Anyone among the authorities that are collaborators must be fired and prosecuted.

  “Besides, the Federal Government should encourage Nigerians to embrace agriculture which was the mainstay of our economy in the 1950s before oil was discovered and we abandoned it. That action (relying on oil only) is the source of our economic predicament we are facing today. Agriculture grew our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) then, stabilised foreign reserves and strengthened our naira. In those days our local currency was more powerful than the American dollar. How did we achieve this? Simple. Nigeria operated three regions before Independence in 1960.These are North, West and East. There was Midwest (now Edo and Delta states) Each region specialised in specific agriculture items. For instance, we had groundnut being cultivated in large acres of land. Then the huge harvests brought in what we called Kano Pyramids.

“Cocoa was the star produce of the Western Region, now the six Southwest states excluding Lagos that was federal territory then.Many inhabitants of the region relied on cocoa exports to earn big incomes then .The byproduct from are processed as beverages for companies in the area.

In Eastern Region, emphasis was on palm kernel farms employing thousands. The palm oil was exported supporting our foreign reserves.

  “Rubber plantations became the flagship of the Midwest. Many earned their living working on the plantation. The raw materials that were generated from the plantations served Dunlop and Michelin companies that produced cheap and affordable tyres in those days. Besidees,the regions contributed their quotas to Nigeria’s development. We should return to the farms.”

When asked about the programmes expected in WEBIC this year, he said male members of the church had their convention in July while the women’s Achievers Conference will come up last weekend in July. The Youth Aglow Conference and launch of WEBIC satellite television studio will hold in August to be followed by the National Workers Retreat in October. He said during this year’s annual convention (Mantle “26) three distinguished members would be honoured for their services to the church. His wife’s Operation Fruitfulness comes up every last Wednesday of the month, besides the monthly Holy Communion service on first Sundays.