By Kingsley Adegboye

AGAINST the backdrop of myriad of challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation such as national identity and integration, sustenance of democratic rule, corruption, poverty and ignorance, job creation, economic backwardness, social and physical infrastructure, poor health delivery service, rule of law as well as weak and ineffective public institutions, stakeholders who gathered at the 11th Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) Lagos state branch at the weekend, have called for the rebuilding of public institutions in order to move the country forward.

Speaking on the theme ‘’Landscape: Challenges and Responsibilities for African Future’’, the Guest Lecturer, Chancellor of Lead City University, Ibadan, Professor Gabriel Ogunmola, said the humongous amount so far discovered in the arms purchase scandal involving the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and other prominent Nigerians was a national shame, lamenting that “Just imagine what that amount could have done to health care delivery, provision of infrastructure and so in Nigeria.’’

Prof. Ogunmola, a past president of Nigerian Academy of Science, further noted that as at today, Nigeria still imports water being consumed by Nigerians in the sense that the chemicals and chlorine used to refine the table water consumed by Nigerians are being imported, adding that the country must urgently take deliberate actions to improve on the quality of lives of the people, stressing that leaders in positions of influence in the country must demonstrate sense of responsibilities in order to move the nation forward.

Managing of resources

According to him, this sense of responsibilities must involve the rebuilding of public institutions that have been destroyed by the recklessness and lack of vision of our leaders.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion, former Ambassador and Deputy Representative of Nigeria at the United Nations (UN),Mr. Oladapo Fafowora said despite the numerous resources that are abound in Nigeria, Nigerians remain some of the poorest in the world because of the recklessness with which our leaders manage the resources.

According to Fafowora, there are many challenges confronting the African states, principal of which is corruption, adding that African states, especially Nigeria, must now pursue the anti-corruption war with all seriousness required. He said those who have corruptly enriched themselves are enemies of the state and must be treated as such, insisting that there should be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

The challenges he said include those of national identity and integration, sustaining democratic rule, fighting massive corruption, mass poverty and ignorance, job creation, economic backwardness, poor social and physical infrastructure, poor health delivery service, constant threat to constitutional government, and the rule of law, as well as weak and ineffective public institutions.

He said: “It is now to end public corruption in our country because there is strong and widespread public demand to the effect that those against whom allegations of public corruption have been made should be brought to justice as speedily as possible. If found guilty, then they should be punished accordingly. There should be no sacred cows and such people are morally unfit for positions of leadership and high state responsibilities in our country. They are enemies of the state and should be treated as such’’, he stated.

However, as a way forward, Fafowora said strong measures including rebuilding of public institutions should be introduced urgently to address the grave challenge posed by corruption to Nigeria’s future prosperity, stability and security.

In his welcome address, the chairman of Lagos state NIS, Gbenga Alara said as ‘’Leaders in our various spheres of influence, we are always confronted with challenges, and we must be mindful of our responsibilities to address them. In all the challenges we face as a people, as responsible human beings, we must define clearly our roles and responsibilities as to improve our prospects for sustained growth and development.