By Laolu Elijah, Ibadan

CHAIRMAN, SEAP Holdings Company Limited, Pastor Olatunde Oladokun, has advised the Federal Government to send palliatives through entrepreneurs, saying the palliatives sent so far went to the wrong hands.

He noted that instead of sending palliatives through wrong channels who would not deliver it to the downtrodden, it would be better if the government could send it through the entrepreneurs who are close to the people at the grassroots.

He said this at his 60th birthday ceremony, which was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

“Palliatives are going to the wrong hands. Distribute the palliatives through entrepreneurs so that they can reach the downtrodden.”

“They are talking about palliatives; how many entrepreneurs are really enjoying this? We are not talking about entrepreneurs that have one, two, or three staff but entrepreneurs who have about 1,500 or 2,000 staff. I have tried it. They just begin to change policies. Not giving palliatives to entrepreneurs is killing businesses. Many people like me have to go to the open market and get loans.”

Oladokun, who employed over 2,500 staff to manage his companies, lamented the high rate of poverty, saying despite various interventions of the government, poverty is still on the high side.

At the event, which drew the attention of thousands of Nigerians, including traditional rulers, clerics, and politicians, he stressed, “When you look at the level of poverty in the country, it is at a high rate. With all the interventions of the government, you discover that poverty has not reduced.”

To reduce the pressure on the government, he called on Nigerian billionaires to support the economy by establishing factories and engaging people. This, he emphasised, would reduce the massive migration of youths from the country to the developed world.

“There are many ways people can support the economy of Nigeria to grow. Most of our billionaires are hiding because the sources of their wealth cannot be established. That’s why you find many of them building houses and hiding money there. No matter what the country is passing through, let every billionaire establish a business in rural areas, towns, and local governments and engage people to help reduce the unemployment rate in the country. So that they won’t be coming to the city.”

“When people are engaged, criminality will reduce, and the issue of Japa syndrome will be minimised. People who have ‘japaed,’ it’s not that it is convenient for them; they just felt that’s the best option. If our millionaires can go to rural areas and establish gaari or palm oil factories, people will work there. So, let us think about ways to turn this nation right.”

The electricity distribution companies, he stated, are not helping the economy as a result of their sharp practices on their consumers.

On the minimum wage, he said, “Now, the federal government is talking about a N70,000 minimum wage. How do they expect the private sector to pay it. They keep losing staff to government institutions. The government is not building the structure; it’s like there is error somewhere. What is the private sector getting in return for the taxes they pay? Look at the taxes they are paying and ask them, What can we do to support your businesses so that you can employ more staff?”

“Look at many states now employing people into civil service. People are leaving private because they cannot pay; the government is paying. They are destroying the private economy that will drive the nation. To eradicate poverty in this nation, we have to be sincere with ourselves. We are not sincere in this nation.”

Pastor Sunday Akande, National Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, advised the youths to fear God.

“Youths should fear God. They need to fear God because you see a man of 30 years plus abusing a man of God of over 80 years. They should stop abusing men of God because those men of God didn’t just get there overnight; God took them there. Youths should also do their best. Nobody will give you what’s your own; you have to fight for it.”