By Segun Ige
Is there any difference in the topic above and –“The untold truth: The need for recalibration”?
Participants at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 15 Second Annual Lecture of TheNiche Newspaper would perhaps, draw analogy between the topic of discussion and a related one “The untold truth: The need for recalibration”.
“The untold truth” appeared told at the venue of the Lecture as the guest speaker, Professor Anya O. Anya, engaged his audience on the problems afflicting the Nigerian State.
As he analysed the challenges and opportunities before the country, he was quick to add that ‘Technological change is not one of the engines of prosperity: it is the most critical one’.
Anya extended the challenges of leadership to all fabrics of the nation.
Major General Obin Umahi while commenting on the lecture cited the example of the Singaporean tripod of accountable governance – that is, meritocracy, pragmatism, and honesty, as a way out.
Many agree with him for instance, on the need for recalibration of the building block of the Nigerian education system.
Taking a different route, a Law graduate, at the forum, had noted that the Nigerian educational system is run on a platform of deception.
He based his analysis on the fact of graduates roaming helplessly and in some cases, ending up being employed by someone who had no educational background.
Anya however counselled on the need for the youth to take their destiny on their hands, by not hoping to be on paid employment but to create avenues to better their lot.
Former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by his erstwhile commissioner for information, Dele Alake, agreed with the Guest Lecturer. He said; “Take your destiny into your hands and move and be in charge of your future”.
.Ige is a student of the Department of English, University of Lagos (email: igesegunadebayo5@gmail.com)
