Nigerians have been called upon to unite and foster peaceful coexistence as a means to tackle the ongoing challenges hindering the nation’s socio-economic progress.
The Director of Finance and Administration from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Ambassador Dandela Kassim, made this appeal during the 2024 Alumni celebration and certificate presentation for graduates of the Fordax School of Business and Communications Academy. The event was organized by the academy in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
In his keynote address on the topic “Moving Nigeria Forward: Our Collective Roles,” Ambassador Kassim highlighted the crucial role of peace and unity in driving the progress of any nation.
‘‘I would like to draw our attention, what we need more is peaceful coexistence, try to have peace in yourselves, try to have peace within your family, if there is peace in the family it will translate to the peace in the nation, we need to live together, were there is peace there would be security, let us imbibe peace in the nation so that we can move this great country forward,’’ he said
The Director urged all levels of government to diversify the economy, combat corruption, and offer strong leadership, along with improved infrastructure and quality education for the citizens.
“As we strive to move Nigeria forward, it is imperative that we recognise our collective roles in driving this progress, Nigeria is a nation blessed with human and natural resources, we are Africa’s largest economy, with vibrant youths population and rich cultural heritage, however we are also faced with significant challenges that hinder our growth and development, such as insecurity, corruption, unemployment, and infrastructural deficit, that we must over- come,’’ stressed Ambassador Dandela Kassim,
Regarding solutions to the challenges, he stated that advancing Nigeria requires a collective approach that harnesses the strengths of every citizen in the country.
‘’This requires a fundamental shift in our mindset, from cultural dependence to the culture of ownership, we have to have a lifestyle of owning this country, we must decide to say no to Japa when we live in peace,’’ Ambassador advised.
Regarding the role of government, Ambassador Kassim emphasized that the Nigerian government must embrace visionary leadership, implement effective policies, create an enabling environment for growth, and diversify the economy to reduce dependence on oil, fostering national development.
‘’Nigeria has vast resources that need to be harnessed, the government can continue to diversify into Agricultural and mining sector, investing in critical infrastructure, such as Roads, Water and Transportation, as we recently witnessed the massive infrastructure development in Federal capital Territory which is commendable and we do hope this can be replicated all over the country’’.
‘’We urge the government to keep strengthening the institutions to combat corruption, and ensure accountability, we do hope that, the government would continue to prioritise education, healthcare and social welfare,” he said.
Regarding the role of citizens in nation-building, he emphasized that Nigerians have a crucial responsibility as active citizens, holding the government accountable and engaging in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to confrontation or violence.
‘’In order to foster the way forward, citizens should participate in the democratic process and should foster development through volunteering of community development” The Director added
In his remarks, Dr. Stephen Michael, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Fordax School of Business and Communications Academy, urged students to broaden their educational horizons to unlock opportunities and fully realize their potential globally.
‘’For today’s education to have relevance, it must be flexible, it must have economic value, it must be accessible, meaning that there should be no barrier emphasised by Dr. Michael
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Bayo Olumbori, Course Representative, System Analyst, and Financial Consultant from Bilgal International Limited, expressed that the knowledge and certificates gained will have a significant impact on their careers.
‘’Almost all the students in my class are professionals, Bankers, Legal and Medical Practitioners, one thing which is very important is that this certificate will go a long way, because it is not just about what you say but how to say it, all of us collectively are going to make use of the certificates in how to speak, how to relate and engage the public among others,’’ Mr. Bayo Olumbori, stated.
Fordax Training Academy is a nationally renowned institution that empowers individuals with world-class knowledge, skills, training, and certifications. It offers professional coaching in public speaking, presentations, digital marketing, leadership development, and business growth strategies.
Oluchi Okwuego
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