‘Nigeria needs good leadership, strong institutions to tackle challenges’

A presidential aspirant in the 2023 general elections under the banner of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and a professor Emeritus of education at the University of Windsor, Canada, Benedicta Egbo, has said that what Nigeria needs is good leadership and strong institutions to tackle its present challenges.

She said one of the major challenges stifling needed development in the country is a lack of patriotism and that corruption comes secondary to the country’s challenges.

Egbo stated this at the annual lecture and book launch, organised in her honour, with the theme: “Reclaiming Nigeria’s Future: Strategic Frameworks for Achieving Transformative Change,” in Abuja.

She said, “I am convinced that with the right policies, governance, architecture, strong institutions, and a peaceful, thriving economic environment, Nigeria can once again live up to its nickname as the Giant of Africa, as well as become an exceptionally respected member among the comity of nations.

“Nigeria’s future generations deserve decent future. This requires a starting point, critical reflection, and deep introspection on our part so that collectively, we can engender the transformative change we all desire and hope for.”

Earlier in his keynote address, a Professor of Political Science and senior fellow, Centre for Democracy and Development, Prof. Adele Jinadu, on the way forward to Nigeria’s political future, said the ethical crisis of democracy and federalism was an indication of the decline of professionalism in public life.

“Professionalism seems to have been sacrificed, while professionals and professional groups, the core of the middle, have abandoned their professional ethics that should inform their sacred role of speaking the truth to power and serving as a mirror of what society should be but is not and yet can become,” he said

Speaking, the chairman, Planning Committee on a Public lecture, Dr Alfred Chiakor, said the intensity of pressure and challenges facing the nation, makes it imperative to promote robust nation building endeavours and discourse such as public lecture.

“The choice of the public lecture would not have come at a better time, considering the myriad of challenges mushrooming at different locations around the country, some of which threaten the corporate integrity of our dear country,” he said.