Citizens’ participation critical to fasttrack Nigeria’s political, economic transformation, says former NDIC director

To engender development and chart better direction for the country, a former Director, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr Solomon Segun Ojo, has advised Nigerians to be model citizens and play critical roles in the political and economic emancipation of the nation.

He gave the charge while delivering a lecture at the 33rd yearly lecture anniversary of a civic society group, Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ), in Lagos.

Delivering a paper titled ‘Good Governance and Economic Growth: The role of the citizens’, Ojo stressed the need for Nigerians to understand their roles and duties as citizens and rise up to the challenges to ensure that government also continue to play its part in moving the nation forward.
According to him, good governance does not exist in a vacuum but entail the active involvement of all citizens in managing the nation or charting a course that will ensure delivery.
The former lecturer at the University of Lagos, however, noted that there are weakness and threats that limit development in Nigeria.

“The weaknesses are largely internal and can be found in our attitude to work, indiscipline, shortcut syndrome, breakdown of values, penchant for foreign goods and practices among others'” he said.

Ojo also cited the erroneous belief that government must meet all the needs of citizens, including self inflicted ones, and lack of readiness to cooperate and assist same government on issues that provide mutual benefits to all. He pointed out that there is no harm in communities supporting the efforts of government at all levels.

He said for citizens to do their part, they must be ready to pay taxes, levies, obey laws, avoid acts of economic sabotage, and make self sacrifice for the nation.
He said Nigerians must be ready to shun bribery and corruption and also project the positive image of the country abroad.

Ojo stated that in the pursuit of goals, Nigerians must build capacity, tenacity, and perseverance and avoid short cuts.
The convener of the programme and National President and founder, CRJ, Pastor John Adesanya, said they picked the theme based on the need to encourage good governance and promote economic growth in the country.

He said good governance is not product of magic, but citizens have they own role to play to realise it.

Adesanya appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the federal government, saying the last administration has caused untold damage to the nation and it would take some time for President Bola Tinubu government to fix it.
He reminded the federal government that the welfare and comfort of citizens should take priority in its policies and decisions.

Professionals, clergy and representatives of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) attended the event.