By Odo Ogenyi
Gov Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has said that political, economic and social issues confronting Nigeria could be surmounted with intelligent leaders.
He has also urged Nigerians to ensure that good leaders were elected during the 2023 general elections.
Emmanuel said this in his remarks while declaring open the Conference of Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria in Uyo on Tuesday with theme, “nation building In challenging times.”
He described the theme as apt but said that challenging times was not only applicable to Nigeria.
“Issues confronting Nigeria is very surmountable, all we need is leadership structure. That even when people were challenged, even in the old testament it will always take a leader to come out from somewhere and things will change.
“I still believe the solution to our challenges is on those that we appoint to lead us. Certainly, there are basic things we must get right, the basic structure we must bring down for us to move ahead and for us to move as a people.
“It is really challenging, that even the Great Britain is affected, honestly we are facing a major challenging times in our nation and all over the world.
“You can see countries are trying to adjust and readjust. How could you wake up one morning and hear a whole state is under water. As, it goes beyond human comprehension. It is also a time whether we believe it or not to come closer to the Almighty.” Emmanuel said.
The governor urged all former deputy governors in the country to join the forum to build a better Nigeria, stressing that nobody is the custodian of knowledge.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman on the ocassion, Chief Kanu Agabi, commended the forum for coming together to deliberate on ways of finding lasting solutions to the nation’s problems.
Agabi added that the problems confronting the country should not divide the nation but unite and strengthen the country.
He urged Nigerians to have hope believing that the problems facing the nation would be overcome, adivising that no problem should divide the country.
In his keynote address, Prof. Audu Gambo of the Karl Kumm University in Jos said that the pathway to Nigeria’s greatest is the promotion of good governance, where every citizens is treated as an equitable stakeholder in national project.
Highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of a new executive for the forum with a former Deputy Governor of Abia Chief Chris Akomas as the new chairman.
