Nigerian Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has called for what he described as an ethical revolution in order for the nation not to fail, saying it will bring about needed change.
The Vice President said this while delivering a lecture titled: “Values: the difference between success and failure” at the 100th anniversary of the Old Boys Association of the Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.
Osinbajo stressed that the government must lead the ethical revolution by rewarding good ethical behaviours and ensuring speedy punishment for misconduct.
He noted that Nigerians must change their view that corruption is only synonymous with the nation alone, saying no modern society is free of corruption.
“…one where we establish a national work ethic of honesty, of hard work. It is what is taught and learned that shape the character of individuals and nations. But it is not just teachings, government must also lead this ethical revolution by rewarding ethical behaviours and ensuring speedy punishment for misconduct”, Osinbajo said.
He called on educational institutions to inculcate the value of honesty, diligence, hard work, respect, trustworthiness discipline and integrity in their students to raise youths with the right thinking.
“Every modern society has had to deal with corruption. Corruption is not a Nigerian thing, sometimes we deceive ourselves it is Nigerian, no, many countries, in fact, most countries of the world had been more corrupt than us, but their elites sat down and decided they have to deal with it because if they do not deal with it, it will deal with them.
“There is no modern society today that has not had to deal with corruption and they deal with it by their elites sitting down and saying we have to agree this is the way forward, we cannot continue to repeat the same thing, we must enthrone minimum ethical standard to succeed”, Osinbajo affirmed.
Osinbajo listed, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Bola Ajibola – who are all old students of the school as exceptional Nigerians who recorded great achievements in public service as a result of the training and values they got from the school.
Improving the educational sector
Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun appealed to other alumni associations in various schools in the state to emulate the good gestures of BBHS Old Boys’ Association in advancing the educational development of the state.
Abiodun commended the Old Boys for a job well done and reassured the people that his government will continue to work on the educational sector to improve the students’ standard of learning.
The Global President of BBHS Old Boys Association, Professor Kayode Oyesiku said that the Association remains steadfast in the advancement of knowledge by contributing their quota to the development of the school and society.
Prof Oyesiku listed some of the projects executed by the association in the school to include: the construction of a mini-built stadium, an ultra-modern and well-equipped library, an alumni hall, an art studio and a car park.
He stated that the centennial celebration was packaged to educate all about Nigeria’s national development.
The highlight of the event was the launch of two books “The BBHS History Book: 100 years of Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta and Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta-Intergenerational Reminiscences.”
Emmanuel Ukoh
