Let our best brains take over public sector, says Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on yesterday said the nation should create a system which allows her best trained people who have the required capacity to take over the public sector and make it work for the entire citizenry.

Saraki made the call while presenting the keynote address at the inaugural National Chevening Alumni Leadership Summit organised by the British High Commission and the Nigeria Chevening Alumni Association in Lagos.

The Chevening scholarship is awarded annually by the UK Government to exceptional individuals who possess outstanding leadership potentials for them to pursue a one-year master’s degree in any university in the United Kingdom.

He said while the practice across the world is to allow the best brains to go into the public sector, Nigeria’s case is that the most qualified people struggle to join the private sector.

The situation, he said, must change such that whether through “the back door, that is by appointment or through the front door, by standing for election, the most educated and skilled people should take over governance and help to convert the numerous God-given resources to genuine development for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“I wholeheartedly invite you to work with us in productive partnership so that we can journey together in this difficult but necessary task to build the Nigeria that we all wish for, for us and for our children,” Saraki said.