Chairman of Ritsoil and gas limited, Lawson Omokhodion, has said that public and private sector collaboration is needed for the growth of the nation and to provide employment.

He made this statement while giving the keynote address at the Graduation Ceremony of Rome Business School

Stating Article 16 (1) (a) to (d) of the Nigerian constitution, which defines the role of government in the economic life of the country and Article 3 (b) and (c) that provides for government’s role to include participation, distribution and sales, he noted that untiil all levels of government participate in job creation, the economy may not recover.

He said that Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the 80s is responsible for the woes that has afflicted Nigerian economy, adding that the programme negatively affected life, agriculture, employment, manufacturing, exchange rate, public enterprises and promoted waste, embezzlement, corruption in government and a greedy private sector.

Omokhodion, called for a national dialogue to seek a resolution of the nation’s economic problems. “SAP was brought into Nigeria via a national dialogue. The government must chart a recovery through a national dialogue. This is the national economic dialogue Nigeria must have.”

He urged the graduands not to abandon the country due to the current economic hardships, stating “Nigeria is the only country that you call your own so don’t be tempted to abandon it. If you travel out, make money and return home to family, friends and classmates. The future is in Nigeria. It will be restructured and prosperity, security, jobs and peace will return.”

Founder and Dean, Rome Business School, Professor Anthonio Ragusa, congratulated the graduating students for their perseverance, commitment and diligence in spite of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He noted that the world is in need of the graduands, who are new leaders capable of creating value for their communities, customers, families, and cities.

“As educators, our role is to provide students in Nigeria with the most advanced skills, competences and mindset to become great managers and entrepreneurs. One of our key objectives is to create bridges between Nigeria, Europe and the rest of the world, because a more united world is destined to be a more prosperous and peaceful world,” Ragusa said.

Country Director, Rome Business School, Nigeria, Dr. Humphrey Akanazu, urged the graduands to demonstrate good leadership abilities in their various communities and organisations.

He said, “As you graduate today, your journey in becoming great leaders of your various organisations and communities has just begun. I urge you to demonstrate unique leadership abilities in your various career paths”.

Rome Business School was founded in 2011 while the Nigerian campus was established in 2017.