FG uncovers additional 5,000 ghost workers, gradually diversifying the economy – Osinbajo

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By;  BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) on Tuesday disclosed that the  Federal Government uncovered another half a million ghost workers and it is gradually diversifying Nigeria economy by exploring alternative revenue options.
Professor Osinbajo dropped this hint at the 80th Tabieorar festival of the  Church of the Lord Prayer Fellowship worldwide held at Mount Tabieorar Ground, Ogere Remo along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
He said the uncovered fresh 5,000 ghost workers in its  civil service was made possible through the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account policy.
The Vice President while speaking through the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Pastor Seyi Malomo, declared that as at present, what the presidency has done “is re-laying the foundation to take Nigeria back to glory”.
“We are gradually diversifying the economy by exploring alternative revenue options particularly in the solid and natural mineral sector of the economy. Recently, we untied the legal knot that had kept a major economic sector comatose for years. As a result, we should see results from resuscitation of Nigerian Iron Mining Company , Itakpe, and the Ajaokuta Steel, Kogi” he said.
According to the Vice President, Federal government has returned to sustainable economic development with focus on agriculture to address the unemployment situation in the country particularly among the teeming youths.
Professor Osinbajo urged Nigerians to bear with the President Buhari led government in this trial period as there would be light after the long tunnel.
Speaking further, he said the motive behind the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account policy by the federal government was to save the country’s hard earned income.
“Government is daily weeding out of public sector ghost workers, over 40,000 already and counting from the federal payroll. Before now, salaries collected by ghost workers on a monthly basis ran into billions of naira that could have been profitably used for the public good. We have cut down and are still cutting down on frivolous expenditures”.
Emphasizing that the present administration inherited “a badly managed economy, high level insecurity and corrosive corruption”, he noted that government has been tackling the challenges without fear.
Speaking, the Primate of the Church of the Lord, Most Rev Dr Rufus Okikiola Ositelu who praised the bold steps of President Buhari in the on going fight against corruption, advocated the establishment of special courts to handle  corruption cases in Nigeria.
Most Rev Ositelu then tasked all levels of government in the country to intensify their efforts geared towards closing infrastructural gaps.
On the theme of this year’s festival “Glory to Glory”, he declared that the Holy Mount Tabieorar was founded for distribution and impartation of God’s mercies, tasking the congregation to focus on the ultimate goal of eternal life rather than present pains.
“As we face great troubles, it is easy to focus on the pains rather than on our ultimate goal. Just as athletes concentrate on the finish line and ignore their discomfort, we too must focus on the reward for our faith and the joy that lasts forever. No matter what happens to us in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away” he samonised.

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