27th May, 2013
The national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu has declared that strategies have been perfected to wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The former Lagos governor explained that the project would be carried out by creating a chance for a bright and better future that will render extinct the nation’s growing poverty rate. Asiwaju Tinubu disclosed this at the Kano State University of Science and Technology, KUST, Wudil, Kano, northwest Nigeria while being conferred with a honorary Doctorate Degree in Science by the University.
In his speech at the occasion, Tinubu said opposition leaders would remain resolute in their desire to reconstruct Nigeria into a sturdy and bright country.
Tinubu wooed Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, founder and visitor of the university to move to join the progressives, saying his style of leadership and administration of democratic dividends fits into the ideology of the APC.
Tinubu noted that there are leaders in the country with the ability and capability to turn the nation around, adding that there was need to chase away “the demons whose activities have remained a source of impediment to the general growth of the Nigerian society.
“History teaches that those who stay resolute shall win in the end. We are resolute for there is no shame in wanting democracy; no shame in wanting prosperity, fighting against poverty, ignorance and diseases, just as there is also no shame in believing in justice, striving for a better life and demanding good governance.”
According to him, “a heavy cloud hovers over-head and there seems to be no woe by which we are not besieged: poverty, unemployment, diseases, religious and ethnic divides as well as terror, sadly, our house is weak because of poor infrastructure.
“To lift this nation from its low state, you must equip the people with the knowledge needed to face the challenges on ground.
“Education is a practical, dynamic thing that must be adapted to our needs and reflect our circumstance; it must give us the skills needed to become architects of the destinies we seek and not idle bystanders in our lives.”
He stated further that an effective educational system must turn people into positive, social and economic actors. “We should not abide by a system whereby 1.7 million candidates seek admission to universities, where only 5,000 places exist in both private and public universities,” he added.
Tinubu also decried the danger of unemployment caused by acquiring knowledge irrelevant to the society. “It makes little sense to give our people skills for jobs that do not exist, while the work at hand goes undone because of lack of able labour.
“We shall create the change that will render extinct Boko Haram and other violent movements across the land. In the face of increasing progress and prosperity, such groups shall remain where they belong; small, fringe and inconsequential.
“By wedding innovative technology and good governance, we guide the nation to her better future. “There will be no need to even contemplate a state of emergency in Nigeria. There will only be a nation and 36 states of emergence towards development, prosperity and hope,” he stated.
He promised to build a science incubator that will be a reservoir of knowledge where students can create websites to enhance their academic performance, including a lecture hall for the university.
He thanked Kwankwaso and the university for considering him suitable for the award, saying that the gesture from the university indicates that Nigeria remains united irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations.
“We are one in Nigeria, regardless of cultural, religious or political differences. I am touched by this expansive gesture. In doing this, you ignored the imaginary divide between North and South because of your nationalistic courage; you recognize no such divide exists except in the minds of those who would keep us down, divided and at each other’s throats.
“In your wisdom, you realize that we are one. Come what may, we shall remain one. I commend your courage and wisdom. You must maintain this standard because we need this type of courage and wisdom to see our nation through its current tumult.
—Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano