10th February, 2023
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Prof. Akin Oyebode said it becomes very difficult to impose a self-seeking, self-centred and self-perpetuating leadership because the masses are politically conscious and active.
He stated this while speaking on the theme ‘Rethinking Nigeria’s Road to Nirvana’ at the 2nd edition of Dr. Abubakar Olaseni Annual Lecture, YABATECH.
He added that the current pains and privation being endured by Nigerians were not beyond redemption but depended largely on the election of politically correct leadership at the various levels of governance.
According to him, Nigeria must drastically scale down its targets, goals and initiate programmes and policies that could ensure sustainable development, peace and unity.
Oyebode stated that Nigeria needed to take its rightful place in the comity of nations and that the recommendation has become necessary in a changing world.
He said Nigeria needed to have a full grip on its domestic affairs before it could play a positive role in international affairs.
“Accordingly, Nigeria must immediately commence strategic sensing and recalibration in relation to its position to its neighbours, Africa and the rest of the world.
“This is so important on account of the fact that African countries have been enduring increasing marginalisation in vital issues in the global economy.
“This is occurring at a time when there appears to be a leadership vacuum on the African continent and Nigeria has, to all intents and purpose, abandoned its leadership role,” he added.
However, he declared that the path to Nirvana in Nigeria would entail specific actions aimed at alleviating the inequity of poverty and underdevelopment in general, rather than a wholesale paradigm shift.
NAN