The Nation Newspaper

Tag: nation-building

  • Presidential aide charges student leaders on nation-building

    Presidential aide charges student leaders on nation-building

    The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon, has urged student union leaders to be responsible partners in nation-building.

    It said that President Bola Tinubu believes in the power, resilience, and creativity of Nigerian students to contribute to nation-building.

    He spoke on Friday at the Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement in Kebbi State.

    At the event, Asefon reaffirmed the commitment of President Tinubu to the welfare of students and improvement in the quality of education in the country.

    The meeting brought together student leaders across the seven states of the North West, namely Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Kano State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Sokoto State, and Zamfara State.

    Asefon noted that the gathering was not just another meeting but a platform carefully designed to bring the government closer to the students and youths of Nigeria.

    He noted that the present administration remains committed to ensuring that the programmes and policies in the education and youth sector are not only created in Abuja, but are well disseminated and brought directly to the grassroots, where they matter most, the campuses, lecture halls, and communities where Nigerian students live and thrive.

    One of such bold and transformative initiatives rolled out by the Tinubu administration is the launch of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to make education accessible and affordable to all Nigerians, irrespective of background.

    Read Also: Dialogue, not guns, can solve 70% of north-central’s insecurity — Presidential aide

    He said, “Mr. President believes in the power, resilience, and creativity of the Nigerian students, and it is our duty to justify that confidence by being responsible partners in nation-building.

    “This engagement provides us the rare opportunity to sit with the heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Youth, who will share firsthand the various initiatives of government, the opportunities within their industries, and the pathways available for students to benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “By bringing together student leaders across the seven states of the North West, we are not only amplifying the vision of Mr. President but also ensuring that Nigerian students have a seat at the table of national development.

    “This is a step towards bridging the gap between policy and impact, between government and the governed, and between aspiration and opportunity.”

    The presidential aide lauded the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, for his unwavering commitment to education, youth development, and access to host the programme in his state.

    He applauded the State Government for massive investment in education, saying this “continues to serve as a model for others across the federation.”

  • ‘Unity, tolerance vital to nation-building’

    ‘Unity, tolerance vital to nation-building’

    Unity, tolerance, peace, compassion are virtues that should be exhibited for the country to grow despite it numerous ethnic groups.

    This was the position of Director of BODMAS Techhub, Oniyitan Ezekiel Akinbode, in a statement to celebrate Eid-il-Fitr.

    He enjoined Nigerians to imbibe godly virtues such as kindness, love, tolerance, peace, good neighborliness, and compassion, not only during the celebration but throughout their daily lives.

    Akinbode urge them to take to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, follow in his footsteps and uphold his principles.

    Read Also: IWD: Nigerian women pivotal tonation-building, says Tinubu

    “The celebration is a time for Muslims to come together with family and friends, engage in prayers, share meals, and exchange gifts. It is a joyous occasion that symbolizes gratitude, compassion, and unity among the Muslim community in Nigeria.

    “It is also common for people to give to charity during this time as a way of sharing their blessings with those in need.

    “As the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared today (Tuesday) and Wednesday, as public holidays, it provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to join in celebrating this important occasion. The Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo’s  message calling for unity, peace, and oneness resonates with the essence of Eid-il-Fitr – promoting harmony and understanding among people of different backgrounds.

  • Gbajabiamila: Nation building is my priority

    House of Representatives member Femi Gbajabiamila is on tour of the six regions to canvass support for his ambition for Speaker. Correspondent DELE ANOFI reports.

    Nigeria’s cultural diversity, be it religious, political or ethnic differences has always been its greatest source of unity. This fact was succinctly displayed when the front runner for the office of the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Idris Wase, who is eyeing the Deputy Speaker took their campaign to the Southeast and Southsouth governors last week. These are two regions considered as the strong holds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The results of successive general elections confirm their stance against the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC). Notwithstanding this general notion, Gbajabiamila and Wase were pragmatic to make their aspiration to have a national with the belief that the legislative business they hope to lead is not for any section of the country or political party, but for Nigeria.

    Against this background, the Gbajabiamila/Wase Campaign Council did not only deemed it fit to embark on a nationwide consultation, but also do it with emphatic message of national unity, as symbolised by the theme of the campaign logo, ‘FGB, Our Joint Task’. The message of the national joint task was on display with 103 and later 112 members-elect embarking on the tour to canvas for support for the candidate of their choice. Once  the planes touched down in Enugu, the overstretched convoy took off in a carnival-like fashion to Ebonyi, where the delegation was received with grandeur, as in each of the next four States.

    The tour of the two regions, according to the Director-General (DG) of the  Gbajabiamila/Wase Campaign Council,  Abdulmumin Jibrin, was to seek the support of the region for the candidature of Gbajabiamila and Wase for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. “Our main objective and desire is to pick a team that can stand the test of time and we know we have to be here to solicit for your support. We know your strength and commitment to this country and principles of intra party relationship for the benefit of the country. We are here plead for support and assistant, not only to your members-elect but in every other States where your influence reaches that can help in establishing this project. We assure you that you won’t regret your time and commitment to the project,” he told the governor.

    Gbajabiamila told the governor that the support of the governor is paramount, while adding that “It is one thing to support but it is another to get the blessing, but I believe that by the time we leave here, we would have succeeded in getting your blessing. Our team comes with several years of experience through the offices we’ve held through the years”. He, however, emphasised that “We are not seeking the office for the sake of it, but seeking the office to contribute to using the legislature to better this country. Ours is for nation building, a joint task”.

    Gbajabiamila emphasised the import of the visit and its implication for the larger interest of the Nigeria, saying, “I know you as leader who doesn’t see things from narrow perspectives of ephemeral differences and that’s why this is our  first point call. It is our belief that the blessing we get from you will give us the push that will propel, encourage us, so that when we get to other places, we can always be proud to put that forward that based on the quality of the team, you decided to join. With your vibrant Ebonyi legislators, together we will take this country to the next level”.

    He also informed his hosts that the sheer large number of the entourage should be instructive, explaining that the 103 members-elect in the hall cutting across all geo-political zones and political parties bought into the vision of the Gbajabiamila/Wase team and made the trip on their own. “These lawmakers you see in this hall insisted on being on the trip and paid their ways and that is total commitment, to me,” he added.

    Umahi, the Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum, who addressed Gbajabiamila and Wase as incoming Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively,  disclosed that the project was neither new nor strange to him as he was well into it.  He disclosed that some people have spoken to him on the need to support Gbajabiamila prior to the visit. On the need for the Southeast to support the candidature of Gbajabiamila and Wase, the governor pointed out that “No section of the country can go it alone, we need one another for the survival of the country.”

    Next was Enugu State, where governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi hosted the delegation with pomp and ceremonies. His pledge to support the contestants was stamped with the delivery of the eight members-elect from the state to the Gbajabiamila/Wase’s team. The governor handed over the four members-elect, who were present at the consultation meeting to Gbajabiamila, while he made real-time phone calls in the presence of the delegation to the absentee four for the decision taken. It was like home-coming for Gbajabiamila because  Ugwuanyi, a former three-term House member, was a two-term Chairman House Committee on Marine, which Gbajabiamila was a member. The hospitality was total.

    In Anambra, Governor Willy Obiano did not mince words as he challenged the two aspirants and the lawmakers, who formed more than a quorum of a legislative session, to always prioritise issues about his state when they succeed in their quest for leadership.

    Obiano pledged the support of the 10 members-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the duo, while also disclosing that long before the visit, plans had been concluded to support the Gbajabiamila and Wase project. He noted that the decision was not difficult to make, having known  Gbajabiamila from way back as a person of integrity.

    In Imo State, Rochas Okorocha took the hospitality a notch further after which he promised to offer all needed support for the success of the Gbajabiamila and Wase as the presiding officers of the next Green Chamber. With the disclosure that he had been canvassing support for Gbajabiamila since he learnt of his Speakership aspiration, Okorocha assured that his conviction about the ability of the duo to reposition the House of Representatives for legislation that would benefit Nigerians was instrumental to the decision to impress the four legislators on the platform of his party to back the Gbajabiamila/Wase team..

    Okorocha also ensured that the delegation visited the Okorocha Foundation School of Africa where the students made a  presentation on the plight of the African child, raised with a mind of a united prosperous Africa and dance drama from the Ethiopian contingent of the school. So touching was the story of the kids and the inspiration behind the Foundation that Gbajabiamila even promised to return in not too distant future to teach the students as part of his regular outreach programme. When the School informed the guests that five slots have created for the best students in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in each of State of the Federation to study Medicine and Architecture on scholarship, Gbajabiamila could not help but say, “This is pure kindness, this is beyond education but selfless service to humanity and God will reward you. As for you students, though your beginning might be tragic, the end will surely end in praise.”

    In Port Harcourt, Campaign Council DG, Jibrin, admitted that Wike is a powerhouse in the Nigerian politics, which was the reason that brought the delegation to Rivers State. Gbajabiamila said Wike is a man he has deep respect for. “I know you wand true best for this country, a man of passion that brought same to the office,” he added.

    Wike, on his part, pointed out that his support for the duo of Gbajabiamila and Wase was neither based on party line nor ethnic considerations but solely on competence and merit. He expressed his appreciation of the effort and risk taken, traveling long distances to consider him worthy enough to be consulted and visited for a national issue such as this. He further urged Gbajabiamila to put Nigeria first when he emerges as the Speaker of the 9th House by June 11.

    Earlier, a former colleague and Deputy Speaker of the  6th House of Representatives, Mr Austin Opara, said having known and worked with Gbajabiamila over the years, he is able, capable and experienced enough to deliver a House of Representatives Nigerians would be proud of.

     

  • Democratic Deficits and Nation-Building

    For Bola Ahmed Tinubu…in the spirit of foul weather friendship

    The elections have now come and gone but not the acid recriminations. Despite repeated warnings by this column, those who believe that elections are sure fire talisman for solving national contradictions are now biting their nails in regrets and angry remorse. Some of the younger ones have taken to vile and vulgar abuse of their former benefactors.

    They are actually in excellent company. Their ancestors who also put about all their faith in elections are now nestling in the bosom of their maker in fretful repose. Their fathers having eaten sour grapes, the children’s teeth are set at the edge. The demographic gridlock has become even more compelling.

    Twenty six years after the annulment of the best conducted election in the history of the country, the national confabulations which led to the annulment remain. Recently yours sincerely asked one of the wives of MKO Abiola how the Gbagura-born mogul would have felt were he to return to Nigeria at this particular moment. “He would have thanked God for early recall and firmly h”, the woman shot back.

    What Wole Soyinka has called the eternal cycle of human stupidity does not just disappear in a generation; nor does it come with a timeline to vanish. It goes on for a long time until something snaps, or a rupture of attitudinal perception brings a revolutionary gale on the head of everybody. This is what happens to societies without the strength or energy to manage inevitable change.

    Meanwhile, the national contradictions and conflicts of interests that elections are supposed to resolve or at least temper in vehemence and intensity persist with a baffling resolve of their own. If anything, the recent elections have actually exacerbated the national fault lines with some sections of the country in open revolt against federal authorities while recent regional hegemonies are under fierce assault from counter-progressive forces parading as new redeemers of their race.

    Never has the fabric of national unity been stretched this thin. The attitude of some sections of the political elite has been particularly reprehensible. You would have thought that having failed in their electoral gamble of trying to capture state power from well-entrenched power players they would go home quietly to lick their wounds.

    But charity and sobriety are not strong virtues of many sections of the Nigerian political class. And it has nothing to do with class, ethnic group or educational attainment. Rather than licking their wounds in the privacy of their bedroom, they are up and about stoking the fire of national disunity and fanning the ember of ethnic conflagration. Not even self-canonized statesmen and former heads of state are exempt from this political lunacy.

    Where are their international pollsters and masters of prefabricated rigging who predicted emphatic victory for their preferred candidate?  Is it not the same INEC they are condemning that is also responsible for the string of stunning upsets in favour of their preferred party at the sub-national elections? Was this possible under the old template of electoral predation perfected by their master and self-deluding despot?

    In their desperate lack of shame, some of them are even advancing the illogic that past political evil is past. No, it doesn’t work like that. What goes around must come around in order for restitution to complete its ethical cycle. You cannot institutionalize electoral violence and the brutal violation of popular will and then choose to opt out when the balance of forces shifts. That, unfortunately, is the savage logic of political perversion. The cycle must complete itself for everybody to realize that it is no way to go.

    Yet despite all this something is going on that appears to escape the Nigerian political class in its gross entirety. The nation is astir in a way and manner nobody could have foreseen or foretold. The INEC spokesperson is right on this one. Aside from bungling and incompetence, the string of inconclusive elections that has characterized the last  elections in the country point at the increasing  negative competitiveness and countervailing possibilities in Nigeria’s electoral evolution particularly at the level of sub-national elections.

    The forces are so evenly poised and so perfectly matched that at many levels, and unlike what obtained in the past, it is no longer possible to speak of a clear winner or a solid mandate. How do we proceed in gubernatorial circumstances in which only three hundred and forty three votes separate the winner from the loser in an election in which millions voted, or in a presidential poll in which only ten thousand votes gave the edge to the eventual winner?

    Can we adopt a winner-takes-all attitude in such circumstances and expect peace and tranquillity? Could it be that proportional representation is finally staring the nation in the face in an oblique and covert validation of the claims of those who insist that the polity is structurally lopsided and is going nowhere until the situation is redressed?

    It seems as if we are back to square one, and in a manner of speaking too. These are democratic deficits that ordinary elections do not address. National Questions, as we have repeatedly stated in this column, are beyond the purview of routine elections and formal democracy. Not even the classical model of Athenian democracy could be said to be a cure-all for all societies. Like its Roman mutation, Athenian democracy was powered by a slave-holding economy.

    After making their grand entry on the world stage, both models disappeared for a long time, leaving human societies to sort out their existential problems in the way and manner they deemed fit until the Americans came with a radically novel vision of human society which was only possible because it took place in a faraway place amidst the ruins of feudal Europe.

    Even then, and despite a terrible civil war, freed slaves were not allowed to vote and be voted for until after protracted bouts of civil protests lasting another century and a half. This epic drama of human political emancipation was enacted outside the purview of normal and regular “democratic politics” even where the solitary political visionary occasionally lent his weight and prestige to the cause.

    In traditional societies where the majority are allowed to have their way, the countervailing wisdom of the minority are respected rather than brutally suppressed. The Yoruba people, for example, with their long history of check and balances as well as their mutually neutralizing institutions, believe that the demographic weakness of the minority should never lead to the tyranny of the majority.

    Human emancipation is too important to be left to democracy. Democracy referees and regulates the struggle for the control and allocation of human resources among political elites. The vast underclass, the rural and urban hoi polloi, are usually seen and regarded as mere supporting cast that is very expendable and surplus to requirement.

    The most critical and important struggle for the political and economic advancement of society usually takes place outside the purview of democratic politics. In Nigeria, the struggle against military despotism and draconian economic inquisitions against the working class by various civilian regimes took place outside the normal run of politics. In the old west of the nation, the Action Group began as a cultural movement for political emancipation and distinct identity before testing its strength in competitive politics.

    In the current epoch, everything is in a state of amoral flux. The fluid nature of party affiliation, the ease and facility with which people and groups move from one party to another as if there are no defining characteristics or internal logic, has led to a substitution of party principles for the politics of personality and the subordination of group identity to individual ego. It is no longer possible on the grounds of ideology and distinct worldview to separate the ruling APC from the PDP.

    It will be a profound irony of history if this homogeneity of political promiscuity and its transnational efficiency is all there is to show at the end of the day for the historic reapproachment between the dominant political forces of the old west and the northern political establishment. This is the political homogenization of the Nigerian ruling class that Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought against all his political life.

    Yet for the sake of clarity of analysis and fidelity to historical truth, it is useful to point out that contrary to insinuations that the coming together of the old, mutually antagonistic political tendencies represents an attempt to sell the Yoruba people short, this attempt at inter-regional connectivity in Nigerian politics has been going on for quite some time and it appears to be the defining characteristic of the Fourth Republic.

    It can be seen in the Obasanjo Settlement of 1998 which miscarried from the word go as a result of the flat refusal of the Yoruba establishment to play ball. It was obvious in Obasanjo’s own attempt to corral the AD into an alliance and the subsequent Third Term fiasco. It can also be glimpsed in the 2007 attempt by the Afenifere grandees to enter into a tactical alliance with the self-same General Mohammadu Buhari and his party.

    It was only in 2015 that these attempts gained full national traction as a result of the political ingenuity of one exceptional individual. For Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it has been a very severe price to pay for success where others had faltered. But why did these attempts persist particularly in the Fourth Republic? In retrospect, they can be seen as attempts to solve national contradictions through the route of conventional politics and democratic norm.

    At the end of the day, we may discover that we have been putting the cart before the horse, despite all the brave and heroic efforts. No nation can achieve political homogenization without first homogenizing national ideals and violently conflicting notions of the nation itself. This is the enduring lesson of the elusive quest of the last fifty nine years.

    As we have clearly enunciated above, national contradictions require statesmen and not politicians.  This is what is expected of President Buhari in the next four years particularly in the absence of a clear national consensus about the most pressing issues of our time. To do this, he will need to cultivate more cosmopolitan friendship outside his severely restricted circle. Otherwise, the historic dalliance which produced the APC will end up as another doomed quest in pursuit of a phantom national integration.

     

  • Tackling challenges of nation-building through elections

    A cleric, Dr. Isaiah Wealth, highlights the challenges of nation-building and how the winner of the proposed presidential election can tackle them.

    Nigeria would be 60 next year, and I believe you have been brought into power for such a time as this. The question therefore is, will you yield yourself to the will of God to bring us into this glory? Will you be that hero that Nigerians will live to remember? We cannot afford another four years of setbacks, corruption and under development. If we would ever get it right, this is the time and you have been uniquely positioned to lead the charge and steer this ship called Nigeria into the future!

     

    Education:

    With an estimated 13.2 million children out of school, over 35 million illiterate adult population, prevalent infrastructural deficit and decay at our schools, underpaid teachers, and less than 10% budgetary allocation to education, the education sector in Nigeria continues to suffer neglect and requires urgent attention. In 2017 alone, only about 550,000 out of over 1.8 Million candidates who sat for the University Matriculation Examination were offered admission into tertiary institutions, reducing the prospect of our nation’s workforce by 1.3Million Nigerian youths in that particular year alone. Something drastic has to be done to save this abysmal situation. This is why providing and improving access to qualitative education for all Nigerians should not just be a campaign promise, but must be the foremost empowerment pursuit of our government. An increase in the number and quality of our learning infrastructure will ultimately increase Human Capital Development and help us to produce the caliber of minds we need to develop our nation.

    In addition to this, there should be specialized schools for every trade to cater for multi-disciplinary pursuits in human capital development of our nation. We therefore need to revisit our educational system and revise our curriculum from primary to tertiary level.

     

    Working Infrastructure:

    As at the last quarter of 2018, Business Day analysts put labour productivity in Nigeria at under $2 per hour, underlining the need for urgent measures to boost the productivity of the Nigerian workforce. In this age where many developed and developing nations continue to leverage on ICT and artificial intelligence for enhanced productivity, it is sad to note our continued reliance on obsolete technologies in offices, schools, and government parastatals.

     

    Investment:

    The business climate in Nigeria at the moment can be said to be quite hostile and discouraging to local entrepreneurs and would be investors. For instance, our ICT professionals are arguably amongst the best globally, but the lack of conducive business environment has continued to see massive brain drain from the sector to other nations like India, Mauritius, USA and South Africa where their counterparts have greater access to funds and government backed resources and schemes that encourage innovation. The same cannot be said about Nigeria as only a few months ago, the Federal Government was said to have outsourced the logo design of the national carrier, Nigeria Air, to a Bahraini company. This is just one out of several instances. But in charting a way forward, we must demonstrate our readiness to promote, protect and encourage local entrepreneurs.

    Also, investors around the world continue to look for viable investment opportunities and locations. Nigeria should be strategically positioned to leverage on our abundant natural resources, human capital and geographical advantage. We can learn from the success story of Dubai which has successfully diversified its economy to ensure that despite its large oil reserves, oil revenues only account for 5% of the total GDP. Also, some other nations like Kenya have successfully established their tourism sector as a major source of revenue. We need to create an enabling environment for foreign investments to thrive by making policies that encourage innovation, facilitate investment and create a business friendly environment while protecting our local interests.

     

    Transport:

    Commerce thrives when transportation network is in excellent shape, as the supply of goods and services is largely predicated upon the transport infrastructure in a country, but the current narrative in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. For instance, it is far cheaper to transport goods from Europe to Nigeria than it is to transport same goods from Ikeja to Apapa wharf within Lagos, due to the Apapa traffic gridlock that has defied solutions for several years now.  According to findings by a think-tank, the Apapa gridlock of January to September 2018 “resulted in N15bn – N36bn in forgone profit” for one of Nigeria’s leading food business firm alone. Note that the impact on capital plus cost of funds in the same industry was not even considered in the research. Other industries were also not considered, and this is besides other losses owing to the deplorable state of our roads and airports.

     

    Health:

    When anyone chooses to live in this country, will he feel safe and happy to live here? Will he have access to adequately equipped healthcare facilities when he is sick, recreational centers when he chooses to relax, insurance cover for losses, security for his life and properties, and other amenities that guarantees him a good life?

    The life expectancy in Nigeria may have risen above 50 in the last year, but the growing number of deaths in the North East and North Central due to acts of terrorism, especially from the notorious Boko Haram sect and the rampaging Fulani Herdsmen has remained worrisome. Many who have the means would rather relocate abroad than remain to develop our nation. This should not be allowed to continue. We must place a priority value on the life of the individual Nigerian by pursuing healthcare provision, food and drugs administration and control, crime fighting, and promotion of policies that protect human lives and values in a bid to improve the quality of life and standard of living of every Nigerian. It is our responsibility to make Nigeria a place where everyone can have a good life.

     

    Production:

    The energy crisis, which has engulfed Nigeria as a whole has continued to have paralyzing effects on industrial and commercial activities in the country, and it continues to be one of the reasons for the spiking cost of production.

    Also, access to finance has continued to bedevil the production sector of our economy. The cost of money which translates to the interest due over a loan period in Nigeria ranges from 5% to 30%, making it very difficult to access funds that can be used to build or grow profitable businesses. In 2017 alone, the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria puts the number of major firms that closed up due to recession to 272. This is in addition to 45 that closed down in 2016 as a result of foreign exchange restrictions.

    We must therefore focus on tackling the shortage of power supply and lack of funding as a matter of national emergency while creating both the policies and the environment that enables businesses to thrive in these next four years.

     

    Justice:

    The aforementioned infrastructures cannot operate successfully without a viable justice infrastructure. Nigeria has to be a place where people have confidence in the judicial system.

    In the present day Nigeria however, the average Nigerian would rather let go of wrongs done against him because it is always cheaper, easier and less stressful to let the wrongdoer alone than to involve the Nigerian Police or to seek redress in the law court. It is because of this that crime rate is on the increase. Also, there are those who perpetuate evil because they know that nobody will prosecute them. In this term, people should know that the long arms of the law will always catch up with those who do wrong.

     

    Beware of the temptation of persecution: run an inclusive government:

    With your victory at the polls, and with the pressing problems of Nigeria which we just mentioned, you cannot afford to waste time persecuting those who criticized you, those who campaigned harshly against you and those who simply withheld their votes from you. As the newly elected leader of the nation, reach out to them and let them know that though they criticized you, they did it out of their love for Nigeria. Acknowledge and implement some great ideas that they might have which can move Nigeria forward. It is only when united that we can stand.

    Beware of the temptation of playing politics; focus on governance: While it is true that politics brought you into office, it is only through governance that you can achieve feats that will move Nigeria forward. Do not be tempted to administer the nation along party, religious or ethnic lines. You came into office to serve the people, focus on delivering on your campaign promises to the nation, and running a government without prejudice, nepotism or bigotry.

    Let me also use this opportunity to speak to our older politicians; the present clamour by young politicians not to be mentored by older politicians but to replace them, is a shame to our political system. The elders should rule well and mentor the younger to replace them. The wisdom and experience of the elders ought to be built upon by the younger. But in Nigeria, everyone feels that the problem we have is caused by the older politicians, which is a shame. Look at the United States or British Senate for example, you would find elder statesmen who over the years have served in several capacities and are currently still serving, using their experience to further the nation’s course. Therefore, age is really not our problem, but it is as though our elders have forgotten that success is not money but the succession you create. The younger politicians ought to be inspired by the older ones, and in due course succeed them, not to be in rebellion against them. This is not a good sign.

     

    Beware of the temptation of nepotism: focus on making sacrifices for the nation: Nigeria is at a critical time, and we have a short time to enter into where we must be. As the person at the helm of affairs, the onus lies on you to lead Nigeria into that place. God has elevated you into the highest office in the land, and placed you as a steward over all the nation’s resources. Do not be tempted to build an empire around yourself and those who may have sponsored your campaign. Instead, assemble and work with the best team, and be guided by the resolution to give Nigeria something that was not there before with each passing month.

    Although you have assumed the leadership of the nation at a critical time when many around the world continue to perceive our nation as a corrupt system, I want to reassure you that dealing with the problem of corruption is not as difficult as many people think. In fact, it does not need to be fought with military might or a violent revolution as some people might like to presume. Instead, it can be fought with two simple measures that you can help put in place.

    Do not be corrupt: As the number one citizen of Nigeria, if you eschew corruption, you can set a precedent that others can follow. And the systems you design and put in place will be devoid of corruption. You cannot tout anti-corruption slogans while you yourself adopt corrupt practices in the discharge of your duties.

    Do not tolerate corruption within your inner circle and among your officials: It is not enough for you not to be corrupt. You must also create checks and balances to ensure that those who work with you directly are not corrupt, and that corruption is not tolerated. Also, do not use the fight against corruption as a witch hunt against your political opponents, activist or clerics. Be open to criticisms, and if possible, invite those that oppose you to a discussion table to see if you can find a common ground.

    Finally, Mr. President, a golden opportunity is before you to be remembered in the annals of Nigeria’s history as the hero of Nigeria. Will you be remembered alongside the likes of Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, Abraham Lincoln of America, and Winston Churchill of Britain? Men whose names now outlive them because they chose change and development, rather than personal gain.

    May the LORD bless you and cause His wisdom to be in your heart. May He protect you and give you favour in the league of nations, support among your people, the wisdom of Solomon, and above all, may Nigeria join the league of developed nations at the end of your tenure, that your name may be written amongst the heroes past.

    • Dr. Wealth, is Pastor, Gospel Pillars Intl. Churches.

  • PEFON advises professionals on input in nation building

    Professionals should be given the opportunity to make the needed impact in the country, Founder, Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON), Chief Dipo Bailey, has said.

    Bailey, who  spoke during the foundation’s induction and investiture ceremony in Lagos, said Nigeria’s infrastructure, road, power, education, health sector among other things are not what they used to be.

    He stressed that professionals must be given the opportunity to do their work to ensure that they look at what can be done to address the current depreciating situation.

    He said: “There was a time in this country when everything was moving well. But it is not so anymore. This is why PEFON is bringing professionals together so that we can contribute our quota to the nation’s development. We are encouraging professionals to join the Foundation. The Foundation is selective in doing so because it needs to identify those who are qualified to join.

    “With the new inductees, the membership of the Foundation will rise to about 270. We plan to organise a conference where all the inductees will be brought together to discuss how to make positive impact on national issues.

    “There are young graduates, who have no jobs but could be gainfully employed if they were professionally qualified. If we can help these youths to be professionally qualified, we will be building good leadership for tomorrow, reducing unemployment and crime in the society.”

    Bailey urged the new inductees to show commitment to the objectives of PEFON to help the foundation to achieve its aims, adding that if they are committed, they can come together to profer solutions to government on different issues.

    PEFON Oath Administrator, Wale Ogunade, further called on professionals to go into politics and not allow touts take over government.

    “We should be professional in everything we do. We should take part in politics and not leave politics to touts,” he said.

     

  • FG should make ICT focus of nation building – NIRA President

    The President of the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Revd. Sunday Folayan, has advised the federal government to rebuild the nation’s economy through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and depend less on oil.
    Folayan made this known at the 13th NETWORK Technology Conference and Workshop organized by Nigeria Network Operators Groups (ngNOG) held recently at the Zone Tech Park, Lagos, tagged; Affordable Broadband for the Next 100 Million Nigerian.
    According to him, we must carry out the task of rebuilding Nigeria’s Economy so that it will be less dependent on oil and more dependent on other sources of revenue, especially information technology and its will require concerted efforts in Legislation and Policies, Education and Capacity building, open Governance and enhanced accountability
    “the next 100 million Nigerians will be made easier by recognizing the importance of ICT in the nation’s socio-economic development by making ICT the centre-piece of national development through the steady pursuit of policies and programmes that will re-position Nigeria as a strong player in the emerging global digital economy.”
    “the need to recognize Information Technology as a matter of national priority and make it the bedrock of national development, by putting in place policies that will use ICT to drive socio-economic development and the enactment of appropriate legislations to give effect to the various ICT thrusts of the government such as mandatory continuing education, the national software strategic policy, national broadband policy or plan, financial technology services”.
    Folaya further said the need for the review of the ICT Curriculum in the various educational establishments and levels to reflect the realities of the current age and embark on a massive manpower development drive to harness the energies and capabilities of the Nigerian Youth.
     
    “Create mass IT literacy programmes at all levels, to take education to every Nigerian. Convert the NYSC to an IT Retooling Camp as part of the National IT capacity enhancement Strategy. There is less emphasis on defense and military/paramilitary training, as the next frontier is the Internet”, he said.
    Folayan urge mandatory automation of all Government processes, functions and operations and creation of a consolidated and centralized National Database for effective Governance”.
     “The march to connect the next 100 million and indeed all Nigerians requires the continuous cultivation and empowerment of the community, and a task for all to do,” Folayan said

  • Nation building: Communities, inclusion and prosperity

    Text of Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s remarks at the 75th anniversary of Island Club, Lagos.

    It is a privilege to address the illustrious and prestigious Island Club and to be part of your 75th anniversary

    I am proud to be associated with a club that has promoted good fellowship and inter-racial as well as inter-religious harmony; not only in Lagos State but in all Nigeria.

    Founded by some eminent and distinguished Nigerians, to whom we should still be grateful to, our club has remained very relevant and positively impacted on the social and political growth of our country.

    As we cherish the history of our club and revel in the present, we must realise that the responsibility of shaping the future of our nation is a responsibility we must face.

    Just as the Island Club influenced the social and political growth of Nigeria in the past, I am very confident that, with the caliber of individuals in our club, the future is ours to determine.

    This is the reason why I chose the topic – Nation building: Communities, inclusion and prosperity.

    But again, because of the nationalistic nature of Island Club, the topic could easily be – Island Club: Communities, inclusion and prosperity. So, there is a linkage between communities, inclusion and prosperity. Communities interact to create prosperity. But again, what I am trying to bring out is to find out to what extent has this linkage worked for us as a state, and as a nation.

    Our Club is a very important community in Nigeria and we must be part of the story of inclusion and prosperity of our nation.

    Before I get into this discourse let me make a few declarations.

    There have been so many papers on nation building focus on institutions and regulations but I will restrict myself to the softer issues – the people; the most important fabric of the nation.

    In discussing this topic, we must determine who we are as a nation, where we are and where we want to be.

    I will not draw any conclusions but I will present some critical information and present what we have tried to do in Lagos State for nation building.

     

    Global feeling of living in increasingly fractured world

     

    Results of the World Inequality Report of 2018 shows that inequality has increased everywhere in the world despite substantial geographical differences, with the richest one per cent twice as wealthy as the poorest 50 per cent and Nigeria is no exception.

    In recent decades, income inequality has increased in nearly all countries, but at different speeds, suggesting that institutions and policies matter in shaping inequality.

    There are a number of prevailing opposing political, economic, and trade trends reshaping the world, including the widening gap between the rich and poor, climate change and concerns around the future role of technology.

    So, recently, we have been hearing things like Brexit, nationalism or Triumpism, which some people see as populist and nationalistic tendencies. That is how fractured the world is.

    Around the world, people are finding it increasingly difficult to buy into the narrative of shared, continuous social and economic progress that has prevailed for decades.

    The truth is that globalisation has inadvertently exposed a fractured world. However, from a strictly economic perspective, the world is really not in bad shape. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) for example predicted a growth rate of 3.7 per cent in 2018.

    The reality, however, is that for most people, the benefits of economic growth remain elusive. This category of people thus feel excluded from globalisation and all the rosy narratives that often accompany it hence the fractures we see in the world today.

    These fractures foster intolerance, the rising nationalism, populism and strife all over the world and intolerance technically leads to terrorism. This fracture is even more evident in Nigeria with the various indicators of inequality.

    The focus of national economic programmes since 1960 has been the reduction of poverty, bridging inequality and the achievement of a sustained economic growth that should translate to economic development.

    However, our growth indicators, even when we averaged growth of six per cent prior to the recent recession of 2015 and 2016, we have not managed to translate into real development for the greater majority of our people.

    The reality, and which is the stark truth, is that the country is stuck in dire situation.

    United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP’s) most recent Human Development Report (combines life expectancy, education, and income into a single measure)  reveals Nigeria’s has a score of 0.51 which is low (one is the maximum; Norway is at 0.953).

    To put this in perspective, Nigeria’s HDI (Human Developmet Index) is lower than Kenya, Congo and Ghana. The question is, if Nigeria is number one on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), then, where should our HDI be if we really want to grow and become a true nation.

    However, the 0.51 score masks massive differences between different parts of Nigeria for example, Lagos ranks the highest among all states at 0.65 and is comparable to South Africa and Morocco, while, Sokoto ranks the lowest at 0.29, which is worse than war-torn Yemen.

    The stark difference in HDI scores points to the extreme inequality in Nigeria’s well-being – imagine a segment of the population with life expectancy, education and incomes similar to South Africa, while others live like residents of currently devastated Yemen.

     Other indices present equally worrying picture 

    According to United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world (10.5 million children (20 per cent of world population of such children).

    According to Oxfam, women represent between 60 and 79 per cent of Nigeria’s rural labor force but are five times less likely to own their own land than men. Women are also less likely to have a decent education.

    Over three-quarters of the poorest women in Nigeria have never been to school and 94 per cent of them are illiterate.

    Five million of our people face hunger. More than 112 million people are living in poverty in Nigeria. 57 million Nigerians lack safe water. Over 130 million lack adequate sanitation.

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Q2’2017 Report stated that the country’s unemployment rate rose from 14.2 per cent to 18.8 per cent. Underemployment is also close to 20 per cent. We need to understand these statistics for us to realise why we need to talk about nation building, inclusion and prosperity.

    The Centralo Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) data indicates that only 48.6 per cent, equivalent to 46.9 million Nigerians have access to formal financial services. This is behind developed nations, but it is also behind some of our African peers.

    According to the World Bank, only 39.4 per cent of adult Nigerians have bank accounts with only 5.6 per cent having access to mobile money service. In other words, millions of our people are excluded from the formal banking and financial systems.  To build a virile nation, we must pursue financial inclusion aggressively.

    Nearly 10 per per cent of newborn deaths in the world last year occurred in Nigeria (UNICEF: 2017).

     What really is inclusion?

    According to the World Bank framework for inclusion, social inclusion is the process of improving the terms for individuals and groups to take part in society. It is also the process of improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of people, disadvantaged on the basis of their identity, to take part in society.

    Individuals and groups want to be included in three interrelated domains: markets, services and spaces.

    Intervening in one domain without consideration of the others is likely to be one of the most important reasons for the limited success of inclusion policies and programmes.

    I can use Lagos as a good example of a society practicing social inclusion because Lagos is a classic example of a cosmopolitan city that has imbibed every other person to succeed in anything that they try to do.

     Markets 

    In their day-to-day interactions, people engage in society through four major markets—land, housing, labor, and credit – all of which intersect at the individual and the household level.

     Services

    Access to services is essential to improving social inclusion. Health and education services enhance human capital. Social protection services cushion vulnerable groups against the effects of shocks and promote their well-being.

     Spaces

    Physical spaces have a social, political, and cultural character that solidifies systems and processes of exclusion.

     Inclusion matters

    Intense global transitions are leading to social transformations that create new opportunities for inclusion as well as exacerbating existing forms of exclusion. So, we must ensure that we do not exclude people or groups from building a great nation.

    Social inclusion matters for itself. But it also matters because it is the foundation for shared prosperity and because social exclusion is simply too costly.

    There are substantial costs – social, political, and economic – to not addressing the exclusion of entire groups of people.

    A sustainable path towards ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity also involves creating an inclusive society, not only in terms of economic welfare but also in terms of the voice and empowerment of all groups.

    We must begin to realise that every strata of the society counts, we must listen and accommodate all views, whether they are poor, whether they are Igbo, Hausa, whether they are rich, Muslims or Christians, we must put everything in a basket for us to be able to build the nation correctly. An inclusive society must have those institutions, structures and processes that empower local communities, professional associations, artisans, Community Development Associations (CDAs) so they can hold government accountable.

    It also requires the participation of all groups in society, including traditionally marginalised groups, such as ethnic minorities and indigenous populations, in decision-making processes.

     

    Ensuring inclusion, evolution of prosperous community

     

    To ensure inclusion and evolve prosperous communities, social policy needs to move beyond conventional social service approaches toward development’s goals of equitable opportunity and social justice.

    Thankfully, the Nigerian economy has turned a corner and we continue to see positive indices of economic recovery and an encouraging outlook for the future.

    However, economists have stated quite strongly that for Nigeria to attain its potential, we need the economy to grow by 6-7 per cent a year because the population growth is almost three per cent. This is critical if we are going to move the needle in reducing poverty, preventing social unrest and unlocking the full potential of this country.

    To meet our growth ambitions we need jobs and we need to increase productivity too.

    Nigeria has the advantage of a large population, but the majority is under-skilled. It is imperative to equip workers with the skills needed to keep pace with an economy in transition like Nigeria.

    Average productivity of a worker in Nigeria is very low at $2.24/hr relative to $19.68/hr in South Africa and $29.34/hr in Turkey.

    Improvements in productivity will require investments to ensure a broad availability of good quality education as well as relevant vocational training to improve value -added activity across key sectors such as manufacturing and services.

    We need to close that gap in economic and political power between women and men. Providing both girls and boys with education is a first step.

    Quality education is the basis for jobs and income. A modern, competitive economy needs the best heads and hands, regardless of gender. This is sound economics and simple common sense.

    The government needs to implement structural reforms to enhance efficiency, making valuable long-term investments in technology and science to support research and development.

    In addition, governments also need to support the economy to provide jobs for their fast-growing young populations. They should also encourage businesses to provide lifetime training to workers, ensuring they continue to have relevant and valuable skills to support employment as they age.

    Professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in its World in 2050 posited that governments of emerging markets should follow a two-pronged approach.

    First, they should continue to develop strong institutions, and macroeconomic fundamentals.

    Second, they should continue to invest in infrastructure, to aid the development of other industries, and education, to develop a broadly skilled and flexible workforce. I believe these suggestions are apt for our circumstance.

    While digital revolution is affecting financial services, we need to decide together what type of financial system will really impact employment and bring more people into the formal financial system.

    We must also continue to fight corruption.

     

    Inclusion and prosperity: The Lagos example

     

    Our vision to make Lagos safer and more prosperous for the people is driven by the need to foster and build an inclusive society – A Lagos that works for all. This has been our primary focus in the last three and half years.

    This vision of making Lagos Africa’s model mega city and global economic and financial hub is reflected in everything we have been doing. Bringing our communities together to ensure the future prosperity of Lagos State is non-negotiable. I am convinced that we are on the right trajectory and that’s the way to go if Lagos is going to show a very good example to the rest of the country.

    Let me share just a few statistics to show you just how important Lagos is to the success of Nigeria.

    The population of Lagos State today is estimated at 24 million people and still counting. This is equal to that of 30 African countries put together.

    By 2050, Lagos is on track to be a city of 36 million people or the sixth largest city in the world after Mumbai, Delhi, Dhaka, Kinshasa, and Kolkata and ahead of Tokyo, Karachi, New York and Mexico City.

    We have a migration rate of 86 people moving into Lagos every hour, higher than New York (7), London (nine) or Mumbai (72) and they are not going back. This is World Bank statistics of 2016. So, recession ended in 2016? Are the remaining 35 states working?

    So, when you compare the figures of 2016 and now, the remaining 35 states, they are moving to Lagos and that’s why you have traffic congestion. There is nothing working economically in other states and we are coming towards the end of the year, people are going to find what to do for the remainder of the year, so when you count the number of cars on the road, you will observe that there is a challenge coming up.

    We have a population density of 6,939 persons per Kilometre and an average of five persons per household.

    With all these come challenges and pressures on the physical and social infrastructure. So, the truth is that investment in infrastructure can never be enough.

    We believe that every Lagosian must have the opportunity to grow, develop their own skills and contribute to their families and communities in a meaningful way. The aggregate sum of family wellbeing is the meat for nation building.

    If they are healthy, well-educated and trained to enter the workforce and are able to make a decent wage they are better equipped to meet their basic needs and be successful. Their families will also do well and the whole of society will benefit.

    So, as a government, we are committed to providing a safe, secured and conducive environment for business to thrive. In the last three and half years, Lagos has become the safest city in Africa. We are daily improving the ease of doing business in our State and we are hoping to ensure that all businesses have what they require to succeed.

    A government does not have to participate in businesses. We do not have the requisite skills. All we need to do is to create the enabling environment for the private sector to own the economy and then the GDP will grow. We have played a significant role in the improved ranking of our country’s ease of doing business index in 2017 and also in 2018.

    We have empowered a lot of young people to participate more in the economy of this state and the process to reflate the Nigeria economy.

    Our Employment Trust Fund  – Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) has disbursed N5.84 billion to 7,880 Lagosians out of which 1,123 have fully repaid their loans, a revolving fund that targets inclusion and prosperity.

    Over 25,000 jobs were created through the loans and employability programmes.

    To ensure inclusion, 3,613 women received N2.29 billion while N1.44 billion was disbursed to individuals less than 35 years and at least N100 million disbursed in each local government of the state.

    We are on course to attain the vision of a 24-hour economy that will make the state globally competitive. Earlier this year, I signed the Lagos State Electric Power Reform Bill into Law, trying to challenge the status quo to see whether Lagos can actually provide power for itself and I think that is the right way to go if we are going to totally industrialise this state.

    Education is high on the priority list of this administration, and a significant portion of the State budget every year is allocated to upgrading infrastructure and building capacity.

    Through the novel “Code Lagos” and Ready-Set-Work programmes, we are promoting education as a development tool to boost employability of our students and improve the livelihood of Lagosians. The idea is to match graduates from tertiary institutions with the employers needs because most times employers complain that they cannot employ our graduates so we created these programmes for our graduates as a skill set to be able to meet that need.

    These programmes give the youth opportunity to learn critical skills and reduce numeracy and analytical gaps and inculcating the entrepreneurship spirit in our school leavers.

    On a more comprehensive scale, Lagos State is changing the approach to vocational training to make it a more integral part of the education system. This idea of white collar job is gone forever. So, we need to teach people vocational skills so that they can enter into the middle level class of the employment needs in this country. This is the gap that we need to fill up.

    We have similarly made huge investments in healthcare – Ayinke House, the Lagos State Biobank in the Mainland General Hospital Yaba and other Mother and Child Care Centres across the state as well as our about to be launched Health Insurance Scheme. All these are to create a platform for those that we had actually left behind before.

    We entered into collaboration with Kebbi State to produce rice – LAKE Rice and this was the singular thing that crashed the price of Rice in Nigeria. We are trying to do more to ensure that food security in the state is secured.

    We have gone further to establish a Rice Value chain with a 32 tonnes per hour Rice Mill to be located on 32 hectares of land in Imota, Ikorodu and early next year we should be able to finish it.

    With our bulging population, you will agree with me that food security is critical to this state.

    We have also realised that the tourism, hospitality, arts, sports and entertainment are the new frontiers for job creation, hence our massive investments in these sectors. You can see that we are rebuilding the Onikan Stadium and several other recreational facilities around this axis. The whole idea is to continue to create that enabling environment to encourage the private sector to take the front seat.

    We have invested in the development of an integrated and modern inter-modal transportation system in the state and part of it is our Bus Reforms, the laybys and bus stops and we are channelizing some of these waterways and few months from now, you will be able to see some new ferry services coming up.

    The rail project appears to be slow, but the truth is that it is not the physical structure that has been committed. So, to put a rail in place, you need communication, you need power and other things to make it work and those things are part of the delay and again because of the water challenge that we had, which was not part of what was designed, it looks like more work is being done under water than you can see physically, but more work is ongoing.

    People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) have found a home in Lagos and we have done a lot to provide for their special needs because that’s what we talk about inclusion because they are part of the prosperity of this state.

    Inclusion and prosperity: We are all involved

    Often times, our people hold the view that the solution depends solely on government or politicians, but that is not true.

    Citizens, businesses, and groups such as the Island club will need to be more proactive in interrogating the issues and engaging with decision makers to influence decisions.

    We need to go beyond looking at the government to find ways to develop our most valuable resources, our people.

    We need to share responsibility with community organisations, businesses, universities and municipalities in the task of improving the well-being of all Lagosians and preventing and reducing poverty.

    My final message is that we all need to take the gauntlet and we must all be involved in this nation building. It starts from the community and on the streets and then we need to improve every one and at that point we would be rest assured that the prosperity of this country is up north and going forward and then we can build the nation that we can all be proud of.

     

  • Restructuring key to nation-building, says Adams

    The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba, Iba Gani Adams, has said the restructuring of the country is vital to evolving a greater nation.

    He urged the Yoruba nation to adopt a new paradigm shift on issues that affect the country.

    Adams spoke at this year’s two-day summit and interactive session of the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU) in Hamburg Germany.

    He said: “As the 2019 general elections draw nearer, there is need for the Yoruba to adopt a new paradigm shift.”

    The Aare Onakakanfo frowned at what he called the desecration of the sanctity of the traditional institution by some people who he said arrogate to themselves the position of a Yoruba monarch in the Diaspora.

    “Our traditional institution is sacred and we won’t allow anybody to tarnish the image, even as we urge all Yoruba Obas in their states to condemn the abominable act,” he added.

    Aare Adams, who met with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Mrs. Mobolaji Sakirat Ogundero, said contending issues discussed at the summit include restructuring of Nigeria as well as decentralisation of security, monetary, education and infrastructure.

    The Yoruba leader said this would allow the federating unit to develop at their own pace.

    He said: “The word ‘restructuring’ simply means reorganisation, not disintegration. Our position on this is clear: that is, Nigeria cannot afford to isolate itself from the rest of the world.

    “For years, patriotic Nigerians have been agitating for restructuring, but a few elements in the country are against it. As far as I am concerned, those calling for restructuring should not be seen as enemies of state but partners in progress.”

    OPC members from 84 countries as well as other prominent Yoruba groups were present at the summit.

    President of Isokan Omo Yoruba in Germany, Chief Adewole Albert, also attended the ceremony.

     

  • Foursquare Gospel Church tasks mothers on nation building

    Wife of the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Olubisi Meduoye, has called on women to support each other to increase the participation of women in politics.

    She enjoyed mothers to be prayerful and vigilant toward their children to curb the spate of defilement and other social vices in the society.

    Meduoye gave the advice during the mothers’ day celebration at the Cement Branch of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Lagos.

    “Women who are called should go into politics, the women should pray and be sure they are called to serve before they join politics, if they are not called, there would be regret.

    “Women should support one another in politics to raise credible leaders,” she said.

    Meduoye, in a sermon titled, “The Influence of godly mothers,” urged mothers to bring up children in the way of God.

    She insisted that the influence of women could rub off on her children, the society and the nation at large.

    She urged mothers as great influencers to impact positive values to transform the nation in their children.

     

    Narrating her personal experience, Meduoye advised women to create more time for the welfare of their families over businesses or careers to create more positive impact to affect the society.

    Giving some Biblical examples, she explained that timely decisions by mothers could shape the destiny and progress of their families.

    Commenting on the rising cases of rape and minor defilement, she urged mothers to educate their children, be vigilant and prayerful.

    “Indoctrinate your children with the right values and the word of God to keep them safe,” she said.

    She urged mothers to intervene in prayers and take action to stop the illegal migration of youths out of the country.