- Governor Aregbesola said Nigeria must act as a cardinal element in rallying other Africans together
- The governor urged Nigerians to support their government if they need change
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has said that Nigeria must not just exist as a nation but lead the black race in the cause of advancing African renaissance.
The governor said this in Ibadan on Monday at the opening ceremony of a three-day conference held in honour of Prof. Toyin Falola, who clocked 65.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference, themed “African Knowledge and Alternative Futures’’, attracted prominent Nigerians, traditional rulers, academia and students from Nigeria and diaspora.
Falola is a professor of history whose several works have been published in international journals across the world.
“Nigeria stands as a cardinal element in rallying other Africans together in advancing the cause of African renaissance,” he said.
Aregbesola in his paper, entitled “Development, Good Governance and Productivity’’, said that the people and government must sustain a support cycle to achieve growth and development.
READ ALSO: Buhari’s AU anti-corruption honour is Africa’s joke of the year - PDP insists
“The nation is poor and remained poor. This is because the people do not realise that civilisation requires people to support government from their productivity, while government provide infrastructure.
“The challenge of government is not getting able-bodied to engage in productive ventures and earn their living.
“If 50 million able-bodied out of the Nigerian could be engaged productively, the nation would have up to N1.5 trillion circulating in the economy. I bet it Nigeria will become super power in 20 years,” he said.
The governor said Ibadan does not reflect hosting a university with the status and calibre of University of Ibadan if not in anything but effective waste management system.
Aregbesola condemned the spate of killings in the country, calling on security agencies to stem the trend.
“Progress and development can only be achieved in a society where there is peace,’’ he said.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said that his administration believed in knowledge-driven government and governance as upheld by Falola.
Ajimobi, who was represented by Alhaji Olalekan Alli, the Secretary to the State Government, said that the present administration would continue to place priority on knowledge-driven governance.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, urged Africans to lead a revolution aimed at strengthening knowledge acquisition, its dissemination and utilisation.
The Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has explained that the review of the Ibadan chieftaincy law was not meant to disrespect the office of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Ajimobi noted that the alleged discord between him and the traditional ruler was the antics of mischief makers.
Gani Adams reveals truth about burning house with egg, admits to pressure as Aare Onakakanfo - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
