By Pascal Oparada
Former Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank, Obinna Nwosu, has enjoined Nigerians to rise above the country’s challenges and build a better society.
Nwosu, who was a discussant at TheNiche lecture in Lagos, advised Nigerians to rid themselves of the mentality of passing the buck whenever there are issues in the country.
“The mentality of kicking the can to the next person has to stop if we are to make progress as a nation. It is the duty of every Nigerian to move the country forward”, Nwosu said.
Citing an example of his empowerment programme, which was specifically targeted at people from the northern part of the country, Nwosu said that it was about lifting each other in difficult times.
“I spent some time in the North and my father used to live in the North also. Each time I visited my father, I observed that northerners have a penchant for breeding livestock. So, I gathered about 20 of them who lived close to me in Lagos and gave them stipends to help them take care of their families by investing in livestock that would be managed by their immediate families at home”, Nwosu stated.
He said the programme was well received and lifted so many of their families from poverty.
He also advised Nigerians to help each other rather than waiting for the government to do everything for them.
TheNiche is a newspaper, which debuted four years ago in print and organised its first lecture to mark its 4th anniversary.
The event was attended by Professor Remi Sonaiya, the leader of Kowa Party and Professor of French Language and Linguistics, Obafemi University, Ife, who was the chairperson.
Professor Kingsley Moghalu, the former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a presidential aspirant was the guest lecturer.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, was the guest of honour. He was represented by Senator Ben Bruce, of the Bayelsa East constituency.
Traditional ruler of Abriba, Kalu Kalu Ogbu, National Conscience Party (NCP) presidential candidate in the 2015 election, Martins Onovo; Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit, and Chairman, Ndigbo Lagos, Professor Anya O Anya; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, represented by Bridget Yerima, a director at the ministry; an elder statesman, Umah Eleazu, and Spokesman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, were some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion.