Amby Uneze in Owerri
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP),
Peter Obi has promised Nigerians that his government would offer a new brand of
transformative and purposeful leadership with the overall goal of streamlining governance,
making it more responsive, efficient and cost-effective if elected president by
February 25, 2023 election.
Presenting a keynote address titled “A New Nigeria of Our Dream” in a 2023 annual global summit organized by the Mbaise Policy Roundtable, Inc. (MPR) held at Chris VI Hotel in Mbaise, Imo State, Obi who was a guest speaker underscored the fact that Nigeria was at the brink of collapsing due to bad leadership, administrative ineptitude and massive corruption over a few decades, however, gave hope for Nigerians by offering to introduce leadership that is imbued with competence, capacity, credibility and commitment.
According to him, the Obi-Datti administration shall pursue intangible assets of good governance, rule of law, and security of lives and properties, as well as would ensure that “we have these assets in place and stress asset optimization by striking a strategic balance that allows us to promote and protect national interest while meeting our ECOWAS obligations.”
Prof. Nwala, Prof. Amagwu, Gen. Ogunewe, Prof. Oparaoji, Mr. Frank Nneji and Dr. Ihekwueme
Obi who was represented at the annual intellectual
event by Imo State Coordinator of ‘Big Tent’, Dr. Fabian Ihekwueme, was
optimistic to rebuild Nigeria’s military power, promoting economic growth, and
enhancing its technological prowess with a view to improving Nigeria’s diplomatic
influence in sub-regional, regional and global affairs.
He said, restoring leadership would require that “we reassert proactively, Nigeria’s leadership role in African affairs through constructive engagement, peacekeeping duties, and using existing sub-regional and regional for as well as bilateral platforms for dialogue on current and emerging challenges.”
“We shall ensure that in moving Nigeria forward, no
State or community will be left behind. If you elect Datti and I, our government
will promote equity in power and resource sharing. The federating units will
enjoy discernible autonomy. Resources will also be shared equitably. A high
derivation paid to oil or solid minerals-producing States will not be
tantamount to other States not receiving federal allocations that should keep
them viable.
“We will tweak the security architecture, which will
entail reform of the security sector and governance. We will restructure,
re-equip and reorient the Nigeria Police to include three levels of policing –
federal, state and community.
“We are challenged by high youth unemployment, which
stands at 33.3 percent; 54 percent for the youth; and 20 million out-of-school
children by giving the country back to the Nigerian youths because half of our
200 million people are below the age of 30,” he stated.
In his remarks, another keynote speaker, Prof. Pat
Utomi highlighted the determinants of economic growth of a country which
centres on public expenditure, capital formation, private or public investment,
employment rates, exchange rates, etc.
Utomi whose theme dwelt on “A New Nigeria Is
Possible” also pointed out some non-economic determinants that help to advance
progress in a given state, such as capital accumulation, technological
progress, government efficiency, institutions, etc.
He stated that the duties of government are numerous
with the protection of the lives and properties of her citizens as the primary
duty, adding that the aim and essence of every responsible government, is the
provision of good living to her people.
The erudite professor lamented the state of affairs
of the country at present which is bedeviled by insecurity, corruption, despotism,
lack of human rights, and overall maladministration, however, charged Nigerians
to take back their country by showing concern and demanding accountability
from their political leaders as well as those in authority.
Chairman and Moderator of Mbaise Policy Roundtable,
Inc, Prof. Eddie Oparaoji introducing the 2023 annual summit theme as “Education
and Agriculture as Building Block for Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship”
noted that over the years, MPR and key speakers had discussed and interrogated the
subject of agriculture and discovered that feeding a nation remains the key to
development.
Oparaoji while thanking participants to the summit
stated that the need for the establishment of MPR as a policy group that comprises
Mbaise sons and daughters all over the world was to impact on their home community,
health and education programmes; fight against drug use and addiction as well
as to help address the developmental challenges of Mbaise.
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