State-of-the-nation: There is danger, we must reform Nigeria now — Tinubu
…Says Nigeria cannot ‘dare to predicate economic destiny on diminishing oil utility’
…His views are thought provoking — Sanwo-Olu
By Moses Adeniyi
2023 Presidential Aspirant and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has bared his thoughts on the State of the Nation, mentioning any further delay in reforming the Country is dangerous.
In a lecture he presented on Thursday at the 25th Convocation of the Lagos State University entitled “Global Trends: The Right Place of Nigeria in the World,” Tinubu lamented rising poverty, insecurity, violence and social upheavals, 42.5 percent youth unemployment rate, said it was important energies were not turned “away from making, producing, harvesting, and planting the goods and products of the tangible economy.”
Lamenting that Nigeria’s lip service to greatness has left the Country belittled, Tinubu who spoke as the Guest Lecturer at the 25th Convocation said nations are not built by mere proclamation, mentioning that “we must be fruitful enough to address these laspses.”
“We have boasted of enormous potentials for decades, consoling our discomfort by saying that potential will be realized tomorrow. But something disappointing seems to happen when tomorrow becomes today. Years, decades have passed; yet greatness remains elusive.
“If greatness came merely by speaking of it, we would be among the greatest nations in human history,” he observed.
Tinubu whose lecture was presented by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, as his representative, asserted that “no society can long endure in an air of distrust and acrimony,” mentioning it was time all become committed to reforming the nation.
Tinubu who lamented the insufficiency of oil, accounting for “over 90 percent of foreign exchange and 80 percent of governmental revenue,” to meet modern democratic demands of Nigeria, reiterated the importance of developing other sectors.
“Notwithstanding the war-induced surge in oil prices, the future will rely less on oil and gas. We dare not predicate our economic destiny on a resource of diminishing utility.
“Ever dwindling revenues from natural resource exports will no longer be sufficient to find the rising costs of manufactured imports much less also support the expansive fiscal obligations of modern democratic governance,” he observed.
Lamenting that “one does not have to be a great economist to see the extent of our underperformance,” he said unlike Countries like China which rose from their inefficiencies to the height of economic virility, “Nigeria has never experienced a double digit annual growth for any sustained period.”
According to him, oil productivity as a challenge must be given attention to address production deficits to increase daily crude oil output.
Stating that Nigeria’s problems have been borne by the double effects of foreign imperialism and home borne failure, he said “we must reform this country, we have no choice.”
“We face a serious challenge whether born of a foreign imperialism or of our own failings or both,” he lamented.
Tinubu said the society has drifted into a divide of “a select few who flourish in the financial, corporate, and virtual worlds,” and the less privileged majority who no matter how hard they work, remain ill-compensated and poorly remunerated.
“They will struggle but no gain. Toil to triumph but merely survive. This unfairness has gone on too long. We must end it,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu who called for “a new way of a fair start for durable prosperity for all,” said the demand is what the private sector cannot do by itself.
According to him, the role of the government remains central, which he noted to include addressing deficits in employment, provision of social services, development of infrastructures to meet the rising population challenges.
These, he said, were essential to avoid crimes and insecurity saying “there is danger in delay.”
Among other recommendations he gave to address the plethora of challenges Nigeria is presently facing, include Government supporting strategic industries; fostering youth employment; moving national industrial policies from the walls of documentation to pragmatic realities by implementation.
He also submitted that mortgage institutions be reformed and better financed; while formal education linked with skills; massive national infrastructures plan, portable water, electricity, farm system for public good and private gain are vitalised.
Also were more access to credit facilities for farmers; rural road networks and storage facilities to avoid spoilage; water and irrigation system to mitigate incidence of flood and draughts in the agriculture sector.
“Time awaits no nation; We must move this country forward, we have no choice,” he said declaring his readiness whIle questioning if others were.
Tinubu who called on graduands not to “yield to erroneous mindset that says virtual world is the dominant one,” said traditional ideals must be protected against the rising trend of cryptocurrencies, NFTs and metaverses, which are not tangble for the economy.
He submitted that unless the local economy is developed, global goods may continue to elude citizens in the Country.
“Unless we build Nigeria’s economy, the digital economy’s benefits will remain beyond the reach of most Nigerians.
“Time awaits no nation. History may not repeat itself exactly, but it is a frequent visitor to a certain recurrent theme. Those nations that wisely face their challenges shall succeed. Those who ignore obstacles will stumble over what they could have avoided.
“Nigeria has navigated a complex journey since independence. We have much to be proud of; just as we have much work to do,” he called.
…His views are thought-provoking — Sanwo-Olu
Bearing his mind, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the lecture presented by Tinubu as “insightful and thought-provoking,” assuring support for his drive towards national course.
Sanwo-Olu in response to calls, immediately set up a professorial chair to see to the establishment of a “Centre for Leadership and Good Governance immediately,” in honour of Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu who is the Visitor to Lagos State University, appreciated the management of the Institution for the progressive development within the walls of the citadel of learning.
Sanwo-Olu however, charged the young graduands to be alive to using their intelligence to respond efficiently to the prevailing realities in the Country.
Assuring his Administration is committed to youth development programmes for productivity to boost the States economy, Sanwo-Olu called on them to optimise the various empowerment initiatives, such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, put in place by the State to strengthen youth empowerment.
He assured of the Administration’s commitment to developing education in the State, fund research, build capacities, ensure welfare of students and staff, and enhance infrastructures in all the State’s institutions.
Sanwo-Olu called for continuous support and prayers by all Lagosians and partners to achieve the goals “of a greater Lagos.”
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said no other person would properly fit in to deliver the lecture given what she described as “indelible contribution” of Tinubu to the Institution particularly as his position as “Visitor” to the citadel of learning between 1999-2003 and generally at the forefront of national development.
