Why progress will continue to elude Nigeria — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Nigeria as a burial ground for policies, noting that unless the country retraced its steps, progress will continue to elude her.

Obasanjo stated this as the Special Guest of Honour at the Olusegun Obasanjo Space Centre, Abuja, during the 8th Engr Brig Gen (retd) Michael Agu Annual Distinguished Lecture and Awards on Saturday.

The Annual Lecture and Awards were organised under the auspices of the Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers with the 2024 theme: ‘Nigeria’s 21 Years in Space 2003-2024: Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects.’

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo insisted that Nigeria is not short of policies to achieve greatness but expressed regret that the country has, over time, become a burial ground of policies due to unimplemented and unexecuted policies.

“It is not enough for leaders to have policies or make statements,” he said. “We are not short of policies in Nigeria. Unfortunately, Nigeria has become a burial ground of policies that are either unimplemented or unexecuted.

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“Those who make progress achieve progress, not on the basis of wishing to make progress, but by taking actions. They do not take two steps forward and three steps backward.

“Regrettably, this is what we are doing in every aspect of our national life. And as long as we continue to do things this way, progress will elude us. Let us carry the ones we can carry; we cannot be a jack of all trades and master of none.”

Obasanjo was presented an award as Grand Commander of Nigerian Space Exploration by the organisers of the event.

He said when the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) was established by his administration, over 100 Nigerian engineers were sent to China for training.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, the Director General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, said President Bola Tinubu has approved four new satellites for the agency, following the need for Nigeria to replace its aged satellites in orbit.

Adepoju said some of the aged satellites have been deorbited, while others are in the process of de-orbiting.