…Slams leaders over insecurity, injustice, poverty, proposes $6tn investment drive

Former Federal Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, has accused Nigerian leaders of deliberately ignoring the aspirations of citizens for selfish interests, warning that the disconnect is undermining nation-building and sustainable development.

Gana said Nigeria’s development crisis stemmed largely from leadership failure, arguing that the country could make significant progress if those in power embraced integrity, justice, accountability and people-oriented governance.

The former minister spoke in a lecture titled “Rethinking Nation Building for Sustainable Development: Bridging the Leadership/Citizenship Disconnect.”

He argued that Nigerians were generally patriotic and willing to support their country but became frustrated when leaders abandoned the principles of good governance.

“I believe the Nigerian situation is more of a deliberate refusal of leaders to align with the popular will for very selfish reasons,” he said.

Gana maintained that the solution was not another round of public enlightenment campaigns but a fundamental change in leadership conduct.

“For me, the answer is a total return to the path of good governance with humane compassion and integrity,” he added.

The former minister identified insecurity, injustice, poverty and weak governance as major obstacles to national development, insisting that protecting lives and property must remain the government’s foremost responsibility.

He called for stronger border security, warning that Nigeria’s porous borders posed serious challenges to national security and orderly development.

According to him, citizens are more likely to develop a strong sense of patriotism when government demonstrates genuine concern for their safety and welfare.

“When you care for the people, the people will care for the nation,” he said.

On the administration of justice, Gana warned that injustice could trigger violence and destabilise society.

He expressed concern that the reputation of Nigeria’s judiciary for fairness and equity was being damaged by the conduct of some judicial officers.

He urged public officials to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice was not influenced by money or privilege.

Gana also challenged political leaders to move beyond ambitious development promises and deliver measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

He recalled the objectives of the Third National Development Plan, which included building a productive economy, a self-reliant nation, a democratic society and a just society offering equal opportunities to citizens.

He lamented that Nigeria had failed to fully realise these ambitions despite successive development plans.

“WELL DONE is far better than WELL SAID,” he declared, stressing the need to translate national visions into practical results.

The former minister advocated a development strategy driven by education, science, technology, industrialisation and increased domestic production.

Citing Malaysia’s palm oil industry, he argued that Nigeria could generate substantial wealth by investing in agriculture and exploiting its vast land resources.