By Gbenga Oke

LAGOS—Nigeria’s failure to attain its true potential was, yesterday, blamed on the lack of core values and the dominance of corruption among the ruling class.

Speakers at a colloquium to mark the 60th birthday of respected political economist and erstwhile Presidential Adviser, Dr. Pat Utomi, also cited the lack of accountability and the naivety of voters for much of the problems that have stymied the nation’s development.

Among the speakers at the colloquium, entitled How Politics Underdeveloped Nigeria at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, in Lagos, were Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; fiery Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN); 2015 People’s Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; erstwhile Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Father George Ehusani; former Secretary of Health in the Ernest Shonekan Interim National Government, Mr. Julius Adelusi, among others.

In attendance was a cross section of intelligentsia and media executives, among whom were Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Media Ltd.; Mr. Kayode Komolafe of Thisday Newspapers, among others.

The chief celebrant, Utomi, welcoming guests to the event, lamented that Nigeria had refused to reward its best with leadership positions, noting that it was especially problematic at the state level.

He said: “Some of the biggest problems facing this nation today is poverty, wealth and human dignity and if these three are properly dealt with, I think this country will be far off better in the socio-economic development area.

“If they talk of indices, Nigeria is high up there: biggest economy in Africa, oil producing and soon to become third most populous country in the world.

“But I must say this whether or not politicians like it, Nigeria remains one of the most miserable places to live all over the world.”