Nigeria’s future remains quite bright in spite of the many challenges it may be facing.
Discussants at the fourth annual freedom online lecture series themed “Nigeria’s political indices: bright or bleak future” expressed this hope while speaking on the state of affairs of Africa’s most populous nation in Lagos on Tuesday.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel who led other speakers at the event identified unity as a major ingredient in the quest for development of any nation.
Daniel said; “We have to disavow our mind from the prevailing ethnicity and disunity which seemed to have enveloped our society.
”At every turn in the history of Nigeria, we have not achieved anything meaningful when we tilt towards regional or ethnic self interest.”
He called on stakeholders in the Nigerian project to forgo whatever bitterness that might have accrued over the years.
Former vice Presidential candidate of Nigeria’s main opposition party, Peter Obi wants political office holders to work on deliverables clearly defined by international human development indices.
Obi challenged the country’s political leaders to stop what he termed “abuse of the nation” saying a country abused will take its revenge one day.
A former head of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Dakuku Peterside harped on the need for a common understanding of what development is.
He noted that politicians embark on white elephant projects because they are bereft of ideas on what their responsibility should be.
Mr. Peterside said that ”it is time for Nigerians to intentionally hold the country’s leadership accountable as the country prepares for yet another general election in 2023.”
The freedom online annual lecture was organised by the publishers of the online news medium to aggregate ideas on important national issues and how to move Nigeria forward.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
