Despite the myriad of challenges confronting the nation, immediate past Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has expressed optimism that a new Nigeria is possible with strong political will and national pride.
Fagbohun, who disclosed this at the 21stpublic lecture and luncheon of Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA), Lagos Chapter, said with a strong belief that Nigerians can attain the high standards that nationals of other countries attain, and a strong drive by all to make the nation better as a country, a new Nigeria will emerge.
He lamented that Nigeria, which was once ahead of countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Botswana, is progressively but steadily degenerating.
In his lecture, titled: “Harnessing opportunities for a new Nigeria,” Fagbohun said it is disheartening that many countries with less human and material endowment at one time or the other, had also experienced similar or worse scenarios in their political and socio-economic encounters, but had been able to wriggle out of such crises.
Fagbohun cited countries like Singapore, United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Korea and China, which were once enmeshed in serious economic crisis, but are presently ranked high in the global economy.
“Nations across the world are also seriously grappling with difficult issues, such as the scourge of corruption, yet they are carrying out governance effectively with needed leadership to improve people’s lives. Fifty years ago, Singapore grappled with challenges, including unemployment and poor infrastructure, among others. Today, it is ranked one of the most livable cities, with one of the highest levels of human capital development in the world.”
He noted that the problems confronting the country are more systemic and attitudinal. For the desired change in Nigeria, the university teacher highlighted six fundamental issues to be addressed; deficient federalism, weak judicial system, insecurity, non-effective educational system, poor electricity as well as lack of transparency and accountability.
The Professor of Environmental Law noted that the 1999 constitution has failed to achieve the expected balance in the distribution of power and functions among the three levels of government, so as to provide a barrier against centralist authoritarian control.
In his welcome address, Chairman of UNIFEMGA, Lagos Chapter, Mr Saheed Bashiru, restated the association’s commitment to promote the development of their alma mater, quality education and national development.
The event was also organised in honour of two prominent members of the association- Justice Habeeb Abiru and Yusuf Ali (SAN), who recently got elevated in their chosen careers.
While Abiru was elevated to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court, Ali was appointed a Professor of Legal Practice by the Federal University, Oye Ekiti.
