The 17th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture held at the MUSON Centre last Thursday provided a platform for experts to discuss how Nigeria could get back on track by redefining its values.
In discussing the topic of the lecture: “The State of the Nigerian Nation: Redefining our Values”, Mr Gbenga Sesan, one of the guest speakers attributed the problems of insecurity in Nigeria to the high level of youth unemployment.
He challenged young people to embrace values of hard work and to gain skills that would help them compete favourably on the global stage. He also underscored the importance of their success coming from hard work not from looting public funds.
“Young people, if Nigeria will become a country we will celebrate tomorrow, you must retrace your steps and not fall for the trap of wanting to hammer today. You must invest in specific skills and tell yourself that ‘in 10 years I will be a master in certain skills.
“I challenge you to let us create the nation that we desire. We must retrace our steps; go back to the values of hard work. Young people create a story we can follow,” he said.
On his part the second speaker, Mr Frank Nweke Jr, who said values were subset a people’s culture, argued that many of the issues affecting Nigeria today were the same 33 years ago.
Using his upbringing as an example, he underscored the importance of the home and community in inculcating values in young people, which would later influence the role they play in the society.
“My entire experience with my father and mother and extended family as a child, largely constitute my personal manual for fatherhood and parenting, today. It is what I was taught that I now teach my children in the context of the 21st century. Like my father before me, I work hard to impart the values of hard work, honesty, respect, responsibility, fortitude, perseverance and integrity to them,” he said.
Elder statesman, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, who chaired the occasion, lamented that Nigeria has not been able to preserve its values. He underscored the need to come together to address things that need to be changed.
Responding to the discussions, Bishop Okonkwo thanked speakers and urged Nigerians to take care of their homes.
“If you refuse to build your children up in your homes, no matter what they do in church or school, once the foundation is destroyed nothing can be done. If everyone takes responsibility to address the challenges in our nation, we will see the change we want,” he said.
Cash and gift prizes were presented to the winners of the Mike Okonkwo Essay competition and their schools. Fadilah Saliu-Ahmed of Zamani College, Kaduna came first; Barakat Adebayo of Roshallom International School, Lagos, was second; while Wuraola Adeoye of Fountain Heights Secondary School, Surulere, came third. In preparing for the competition, Fadilah said she learnt that Nigeria has to work hard to restore her values.
“My research exposed me to the breakdown in values we have in the society and how much we have to do if we want to be better,” she said.
