Nigeria, according to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, has let the globe and the African continent in general down.
This was said by Obasanjo in Abuja while delivering the keynote speech at the launch of the book “Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa,” authored by Olusegun Aganga, a former minister of industry, trade, and investment who also held the office of minister of finance.
The book was introduced by President Bola Tinubu in person through his Special Advisor on Monetary Policy, Olawale Edun.
“Over the last 63 years, we have not lived up to expectations,” Obasanjo stated. In addition to disappointing the world, we have also failed Africa, the black race, and ourselves.
What Segun (Aganga) has attempted to identify, itemize, and suggest in his book is the way forward.
But acknowledging our inability to constantly place the round peg in the round hole is the first step in setting a new path for ourselves.
“We are being carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism, with a total lack of understanding of the world we live in and gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.”
Obasanjo recognised two pressing problems that were linked in terms of contributing to overall development.
“These are peace and security, and without justice, equality, and an inclusive society, we cannot accomplish them. And being honest with ourselves, for the previous 15 years, we haven’t performed well on these metrics.
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“I’ll also bring up the subject of education, where more than 20 million kids who ought to be in school aren’t. Obasanjo stated, “We don’t need an oracle to tell us what that would mean for tomorrow.
The previous president claimed that young employment, skill development, and empowerment would appear to be neglected or undervalued.
The distant causes of banditry, Boko Haram, abduction, and other organised crimes are not difficult to find, according to Obasanjo.
By implementing excellent policies carelessly or poorly, or by having no policies at all, he said, “We are living dangerously on a keg of gunpowder and pushing more people into poverty.”
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