As Adesina calls for the need to restructure

 Insist there’s no pride in begging for food

By Olayinka Ajayi

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that the challenges facing Nigeria are surmountable, as the government is doing all it can to mitigate the suffering of the masses.

Speaking yesterday at the Óbàfemi Awolowo leadership prize  bestowed on the President of Africa Development Bank, AFDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina for his exemplary leadership attributes likened to the late sage,Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, noted that his principal has a track record of excellence and he’s doing all he can to mitigate the people’s suffering.

He said, “There’s hope for our nation. Yes, there are challenges, but these changes are substantial. My principal has a track record of excellence, and he’s doing all he can to mitigate the suffering of the people. If we could survive the civil war, we are going to survive these current challenges.”

On his part, the awardee and President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, in his lecture themed ‘Making a New Nigeria’, insisted that it is not befitting to be a recipient of food items. 

He said, “The achievement of economically viable entities and the viability of national entities require constitutional changes to devolve more economic and fiscal powers to the states or regions. The stronger the states or regions, the stronger the federated units.

In the process, our union would be renewed. Our union would be stronger. Our union would be equitable. Our union would be fully participatory. Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. We must be audacious! Instead of the Federal Government of Nigeria, we could think of the United States of Nigeria. The old would give way to the new. We would change the relational mindset between the states and Abuja: the fulcrum would be the states, while the center would support them, not rule over them. With good governance, better accountability systems, and a zero tolerance for corruption, more economically strong constituent states would emerge! We would unleash massive wealth across the states.

A new Nigeria would arise!To do so, we will need all of us, not just some of us.

From our forgotten rural villages, to our boisterous and dynamic urban areas.

From the sparks of desire in the eyes of our children to the lingering  hope in the hearts of our youth. From the yearnings of our women and mothers and our men and fathers for a better tomorrow, to the desires of the old that our end would be better than our past,.From the hardworking street vendors and small businesses to the largest business conglomerates, we must create a movement of hope. I hope for a better Nigeria!Not a Muslim Nigeria. Not a Christian Nigeria. Not Eastern Nigeria, Western Nigeria, or Northern or Southern Nigeria.

But one Nigeria—a New Nigeria—was created by a renewed commitment to turn our amazing diversity into exceptional strength. A New Nigeria, powered by torrents of hope, trust, equity, fairness, and wealth at every level, in every state… by all and for all. We have the capacity to do this and make it happen. We must rise above mistrust and divisions and make history.

Not the history that is written about us, about Northern Nigeria, Southern Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria, or Western Nigeria. Not the history of divisive political parties; but a new history that we commit to writing for ourselves—the history of a new Nigeria. We are the history makers. So, let us commit to making history for a new Nigeria! The darkness of today will soon fade. 

It will not be long before our star shines brighter as a nation, as welfare policies and people-centered policies spur shared wealth. A nation where the majority prospers, not just the privileged few. A nation that provides real opportunities for the youth. A nation where equality of opportunity for women is a reality, not a dream. A nation where hope is ignited and dreams are realized. A nation known for wealth, not poverty. A nation set on a hill whose light will never be hidden. A new Nigeria that we are all proud to call home.”