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Tag: Utomi

  • Why gas flaring must be stopped, by Utomi

    Why gas flaring must be stopped, by Utomi

    A developmental economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said the rate of cancer will increase in the Niger Delta unless the rate of gas flaring is checked.

    Utomi spoke at the 2nd mid-year national conference of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) women’s wing at the weekend, with a theme; “Building Healthy People and Healthy Planet,”.

    He said: “There is no challenge that cannot be overcome by women, because they have the milk of human kindness, therefore they are critical to development and if well educated, they can trigger up development when they apply their natural strength.”

    Utomi, who was honoured with the “Isoko Prestigious Award,” said there were enough resources in the world, but sadly there were high levels of poverty because of failure of leadership.

    He explained that the starting point in escaping from poverty is proper education for the children and women, stressing that women are a very important factor in the education of the children, especially in their moral up brining.

    The President of IDU, Mrs. Caroline Usikpedo-Omoniye, canvassed for social inclusion of women and 50/50 affirmative action on women participation in governance, noting that if implemented, it will boost development and also empower the womenfolk.

  • Utomi, Akabueze, others canvass youths empowerment

    Utomi, Akabueze, others canvass youths empowerment

    Prof. Pat Utomi of Lagos Business School and Director-General of Budget Office of the Federation Dr. Ben Akabuezeyesterday led notable Nigerians in canvassingfor youth empowerment as the panacea to the lingering economic problem facing the country.

    Utomi and others while speaking at the national launch of YouthCan!, an initiative by SOS Children’s Villages, Lagos, averred that Nigeria’s dwindling economy needs to be taken over by knowledgeable youths.

    “We need to invest more in the youths in this country if we care about tomorrow. Human capital cannot be overemphasised in any economy and as such, our youths are our strengths which the Federal Government should invest in,” the Professor of Economics said.

    Helauded the initiative of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria on YouthCan! to reduce  unemployment syndrome facing over 60 per cent youth.

    Akabueze said failure of government to address and proffer solution to the unemployment challenges in the past led to the present crisis.

    Akabueze, who was represented by his technical assistant, Yinka Babalola, while hailing Youthcan! Initiative, said the Federal Government is determined to create about 15 million jobs by 2020.

    Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Akintunde Oyebodemaintained that “Lagos State Government will support and partner with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria on the Youthcan! Initiative as it will go a long way to restore hope in Nigerian youths that have been swept aside by the wind of unemployment.

    Managing Director, DHL Express Mr. Muyiwa Adeseyoju said the company was in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria to groom young people with necessary tools and prepare them for challenges associated with job market.

    “Youth unemployment is a huge global problem with more than 70 million people unable to secure jobs. Currently in Nigeria, 24% of employable population is unemployed. But with YouthCan! Initiative, I want to assure that young people would be baked to be successfully employed in the country”

    Hailing the presence of partners at the programme, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mr. Eghosa    Erhumwunse, reiterated that inauguration of the initiative will help to reduce unemployment in the country in due cause.

    “Unemployment is one of the major issues affecting Nigeria’s economy and its society. The rate of unemployment has increased during the last few years due to fallout from the economic challenges.

    “Unemployment is one of the major issues affecting Nigeria’s economy and its society. The rate of unemployment has increased during the last few years due to fallout from the economic challenges,” he said.

    He, however, maintained that the initiative would provide an opportunity for young people who have lost parental care or about to lose parental care to be sufficiently enhanced for the job market.

  • Obasanjo, Utomi, others: punish treasury looters

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Pat Utomi and other experts yesterday called on managers of public institutions to punish treasury looters, revamp African value system and strengthen institutions in the drive to develop Nigeria and the continent.

    They proferred the solution at the opening of the third biennial international conference entitled: “Polity Debacle and the Burden of Being in Africa”.

    The conference was organised by the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    Obasanjo advised President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure there was no hiding place for treasury looters.

    The former President enjoined other African leaders to do the same so the continent can overcome its developmental challenges.

    Obasanjo was represented by the Deputy Coordinator, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale.

    According to him, “there should be no respite, there should be no hiding place for treasury looters. And good people with ideas must come forward to be counted, get elected or supported by good people to grow the economy and provide solid infrastructure.”

    Obasanjo noted with dismay that the focus of African leaders has always been on material resources rather than human capital, adding that African political leaders must make changes to reduce corruption and generate laws, policies and practices needed to catch up with the world.

    He added: “Africans will have to create the popular pressures that will make African leaders address the challenges of leadership, fiscal and economic, managerial, infrastructure, industrial and technological deficits”.

    “The town and gown must collaborate to make Africa the best.

    He said: “Those in political leadership position must enthrone a framework to provide public infrastructure.”

    “There is need to restore social justice issues around resource control, citizenship and governance. Let me state unequivocally that our standards of living will rise the moment we take our destiny in our hands. I know we have what it takes.”

    Utomi, former presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, Prof Emeritus Ayo Bamgbose of the University of Ibadan and representative of Senator Binta Garba representing Adamawa North also spoke.

    Utomi attributed declining fortunes in Africa to collapse of culture, weak institutions, wrong policy choices and unfavourable disposition of leadership to human capital development ,among others.

    He explained that the collapse of culture has changed the orientation of people from delayed gratification to immediate gains and greed.

    Effective leadership, according to him, is all about shaping culture and the way things are done.

    The keynote speaker, Prof Akanmu Adebayo, a professor of History and Conflict Management, Kennesaw State University, United States of America (USA), noted that the cost of governance in Nigeria and other African countries was  too high and unsustainable.

    The don said Nigeria and other African countries must fight corruption, but emphasised the need to review the strategies for anti-graft campaign, stressing: “Anti-corruption strategies that have not worked include public shame and execution, special tribunals and/or the court and so on.”

  • Why Nigeria is underdeveloped, by Utomi

    Chairman, Centre for Value and Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, has said the dearth of leadership values among political elites is responsible for the nation’s underdevelopment.

    Utomi spoke yesterday at the emerging leaders conference in Lagos with the theme Self reinvention: The trigger for economic booms.

    According to him: “The problem of our society is we are obsessed with titles. Many are in positions of authority but are not leaders.

    ”Nigeria inflicted recession on itself through the bad behaviour of previous governments.

    “It was the result of elites that are too lazy to restructure the economy. Our leaders are lazy and they always want the oil price to rise.”

    He challenged youth to stop emulate the crop of mentally lazy elites not ready to build the country.

    “You must not be like them. If we continue to act the way they acted, in my view that is irresponsibility.

    ”We are in dire need of leaders with a sense of service towards others and contribution to the society.

    “Nigeria is a paradox of progressive degeneration. Every government is worse than the one before it because we have refused to learn,” Utomi added.

    The outgoing Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ibim Semenitari, identified transparency and corporate governance as veritable factors that would take Nigeria out of recession.

  • Utomi to Govt: invest in infrastructure to end recession 

    Utomi to Govt: invest in infrastructure to end recession 

    Political economist and Management analyst, Prof Pat Utomi, has urged the Federal Government to invest massively in infrastructure to take the country out of recession.

    He also advised the government to make funds available to micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) and boost the production of raw materials for finished goods to bail the nation out of the current economic challenges.

    Prof. Utomi, who addressed the audience in Abuja at the quarterly lecture on monetary policy, competitiveness and development, spoke on the topic, titled: The Role of Monetary Policy in Job Creation.

    The event was organised by the Economic and Business Strategies (EBS) and co-hosted by Dr. Magnus Kpakol.

    The popular economist stressed the need to strengthen the nation’s institutions, saying such institutions and policy stability would in turn strengthen the economy.

    Utomi said: “Our institutions are weak; We need to strengthen them. We deserve strong institutions and not strong men. A good leader also should focus on purpose and not on power.

    “There is need for a strong political will to end poverty. All around the world, politics is all about how jobs can be created because it is through jobs that people can better their lives. Also, the nation’s monetary policy should have value to create wealth.”

    President of Connexux Corporation, Ms. Anita Campion, called for reforms in the Agricultural sector.

    She noted that because the Nigerian economy was blessed with many natural resources, the people “don’t have to suffer in the midst of plenty”.

     

  • Why Lagos is key to Nigeria’s recovery, by Utomi

    •Ashafa hails Ambode’s handling of affairs 

    Lagos State is a crucial catalyst, if Nigeria’s economy is to witness a turnaround, renowned economist and financial expert Prof. Pat Utomi said at the weekend.

    Utomi, who spoke at the Executive/Legislative retreat for members of the State Executive Council and lawmakers from the Senate, House of Representatives as well as the House of Assembly, said there were lessons to be learn from Lagos State.

    According to him, the state’s economy is largely driven by its huge investment in infrastructure, vibrant tax collection and an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, with less-dependence on oil revenue.

    Utomi, in his paper, cited Comrade Adams Oshiomhole when, on emerging Edo State governor, said he would learn how Lagos was getting it right and replicate same in Edo State.

    “The first thing he (Oshiomhole) did was to say he needed to learn how Lagos was getting it right. And he came over to Lagos with his core team to understudy the Lagos developmental model. And we can see how that worked well in Edo,” the economic expert said.

    He added that several other states followed suit in emulating how the tax and IGR template works in Lagos State and how the public service was structured to enhance good coordination.

    Utomi said the Lagos State example should be prescribed for other states and for Nigeria, because, according to him, the momentum will be good for the country.

    He canvassed that the Southwest states scale up their economic integration.

    “This is why I have always advocated a Lagos-Ibadan megalopolis. Lagos is already a mega city by virtue of its population. But a deliberate economic integration with other Southwest states can produce even better results.

    “This won’t be a new template. In fact, it will be taking us back to the template of the old federal structure in a way, when the three regions had a healthy competitive spirit that brought about development.

    The Senator representing Lagos East, Gbenga Ashafa, hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for coming up with a platform, “where the executive and legislature meet to deliberate on issues affecting the people with a view to pull human and material resources together in the interest of the people”.

    Ashafa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Land Transport, said he had been assured by Ambode that the rail reform of Lagos was almost ready.

    He added that upon completion, the Light Rail will bring serious dividends of democracy to the people, as well as employment, which in turn, will hasten Nigeria’s recovery from recession.

    The lawmaker, who also spoke on kidnapping, hailed Lagos State for the way the crime has been handled.

  • Utomi urges UNN alumni to lift education

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, has urged University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) to lift the standard of education in the country.

    He spoke at a dinner organised by the Lagos State branch of the association.

    Utomi urged members of the association to help rejig the system.

    He said education is important because it offers a way out of poverty; but cannot achieve that if the institution is left in chaos.

    “We all have a duty/obligation in rebuilding the fallen walls of Nigerian universities and their alumni have very critical role to play in building our country. We must make efforts to rebuild education in Nigeria,” he said, recalling the 60s when the quality of higher education in Nigeria was as good as in other parts of the world.

    The dinner offered the alumni the opportunity to come together and exchange views on how to develop their alma mater.

    Lagos State chapter of UNAA President, Mike Okoye, urged the alumni to be committed to building a better university system in the country.

    He said universities progress because of collective decision of key stakeholders to change.

    “Our collective decision to change can be a great first step towards building a University of Nigeria that generations after us can be proud of.

    “We have great hope that we are better than where we are today.  All universities that are being celebrated today were all built and sustained through the commitment and goodwill of alumni members”, he added

    He said the state branch would continue to support UNN, adding that the branch has provided about 100 computers to the university library.  He said the renovation of the Post- Graduate School was next on the list.

    He urged the Federal Government to see funding of universities as a priority.

     

  • Utomi, Teriba canvass ways to improve economy

    Utomi, Teriba canvass ways to improve economy

    FOREMOST political economist Prof. Pat Utomi has canvassed the need for discipline, planning and proper governance to improve the economy.

    Utomi spoke at the breakfast meeting of the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN) at the Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Delivering a lecture with the theme: “Nigeria Economy: Myths and Facts”, Utomi said the country’s economy was clouded with uncertainties.

    To become a global leader, Utomi said Nigeria must compete, urging stakeholders to identify and focus on areas to boost the economy.

    According to him, there was need for a growth framework to ensure that right policy choices were made, human capital, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills adequately available.

    Utomi noted that growth and improvement of culture and value systems must be present and a proper leadership structure put in place.

    The political economist stressed the need for discipline and commitment as it relates to credibility of the budget process.

    Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, noted that the economy was greatly affected by global shocks, leading to a negative economic outlook.

    Contrary to beliefs, the fall of the naira, he said, was majorly as a result of a shortage of foreign exchange orchestrated by drop in oil prices and not necessarily the devaluation of the naira.

    He noted that with or without oil, Nigeria remains the largest economy in Africa and will contribute $25 billion of the $100 billion on the continent.

    Teriba explained that the leaders should aggressively court foreign direct investments to boost the nation’s economy.

    He emphasised the need to block leakages by stopping oil theft and abuse of the fuel subsidy regime, as well as duty/tax abuses.

    Teriba also advised the withdrawal of ‘autonomy’ from revenue-collecting agencies and capture value created by government interventions.

    According to him, the government should encourage investors, thereby causing either an outright liberalisation or a co-partnership with the private sector.

  • Book to mark Utomi at 60 for launch

    Book to mark Utomi at 60 for launch

    A compendium of readings in honour of the erudite scholar and entrepreneur, Prof. Pat Utomi, titled: Nigeria’s Political Economy and Courtship with Poverty, is to be unveiled tomorrow as part of activities marking Utomi’s 60th birthday.

    The book gives great insight of Utomi, a reformer, political economist, management lecturer, industrialist and entrepreneur, who has waged relentless and sustained intellectual assault on poverty, poor governance and their attendant ills, such as deprivation and disintegration of social values and cohesion in Nigeria.

    Utomi, who hails from Ibusa, Delta State, is a professor of political economy and a management expert, whose aspiration is to positively impact humanity.

  • Utomi: encourage food processers

    Founder, Centre for Value and Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, has said indigenous food producers should be encouraged to make their products meet world standards.

    To meet the demand for processed food, he said producers  should modernise their technology, and improve their marketing activities and brand building.

    Utomi spoke at the just-concluded  Food Bext West Africa Exhibition in Lagos.

    He said: “It is my view that if we focus on the strategy of processing what we produce and there is a clear national strategy, corporate strategy will key into it and use it as a great advantage to help drive the economy of this nation.”

    Earlier at the opening of the AgrikExpo, Chairman of Venus Processing and Packaging Limited (VPPL) Otunba Christopher Tugbobo, said: “I am very happy to be a part of this venture because Sympli proves that Nigeria is capable of doing new things in agriculture that can help reduce our dependence on oil and gas.

    “Sympli is produced 100 per cent  locally by Nigerians for Nigerians and this gives me hope as it creates much needed employment, helps reduce post-harvest losses and gives Nigerians a home grown brand in the frozen food segment that we can all be proud of.’’

    Sympli is the brand name   foods produced by VPPL, which is a part of the PRIMLAKS Group.

    The locally farmed, processed and packed Sympli products, which include ‘Yam Fries’, ‘Yam Cubes,’ Plantain ‘Dodo’ and Plantain Chips, are delivered in ready-to-cook state for frying, steaming or baking.