Nigeria Moving In ‘Vicious Circle’, Experts Lament

…Call For Collaborative Action

Experts in Nigeria have lamented that the country is going through a vicious circle and that only collaborative action can move the nation forward.

The experts spoke during the formal unveiling of a maiden public lecture with the theme, ‘Reclaiming Nigeria’s Future: Strategic Frameworks for achieving transformation change” and the public presentation of Prof. Benedicta Egbo’s Book entitled, “Education and Sustainable Development in 21st Century Nigeria”.

Addressing the press on Monday, the chairman, planning committee of the event, Dr. Alfred Chiakor, stated that current realities in the country require that Nigerians see it as a patriotic duty to contribute to the processes of articulating choices in promoting the ideals of nation building, socio-economic progress and transformative change at this critical time of the nation’s consciousness.

He noted that the public lecture in honour of Prof. Egbo will provide Nigerians the opportunity to proffer suggestions and practical strategies that will lead to positive and transformative change for the common good.

“The intensity of pressures and challenges facing the nation makes it imperative to promote robust nation-building endeavours and discourse such as this public lecture, which as we envisage, will provide us the opportunity to proffer suggestions and practical strategies that will lead to positive and transformative change for the common good,” he said.

Chiakor further stated that the public lecture which will be delivered by Prof L. Adele Jinadu, a professor of Political Science and Senior Fellow, Centre for Democracy and Development, is an initiative that aims to deepen democracy and advocacy; promote sustainable development as well as the prioritization of national goals and value orientation.

“The public lecture is a call to collaborative action and strategic partnership that will move the country forward. With an impressive assembly of scholars, public intellectuals, technocrats, political actors, etc, and robust interface with various Stakeholders both at home and in the diaspora, it is expected that discussions at the forum will provide important roadmap to the levers of governance as well for achieving the Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.

While speaking about the book, Chiakor stated that it covers a wide range of topics on education and sustainable development within the context of a competitive 21st Century global arena that demands innovation, creativity, adaptive skills, multiple literacies (including knowledge of ICTs), environmental stewardship and responsibility.

“It does so by examining and then proffering practical strategies for addressing the myriad challenges facing education in Nigeria (and Africa more generally) while simultaneously emphasizing the interrelationship between education, society and sustainable development. Importantly, the theme of inclusive and environmentally responsive socio-economic development cuts across all nine chapters of the book,” he said.

Also speaking, an expert in gender advocacy and publisher of The Woman Today, Dr. Ene Ede maintained that all Nigerians have a stake in the country and should fight to work towards reclaiming the country.

“All of us have paid enough. We have been subsidizing corruption…we have a stake in the country so we must fight and we can fight well…Turn up the heat on your governors and local government chairmen. Let them account for the money given to them, “ she said.

The Public Lecture and Book Presentation will be held at the Congress Hall, NAF Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, March 21, 2024.