Nigeria must exist to lead black race – Aregbesola

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has said that
Nigeria must not just exist as a nation but lead
the black race in the cause of advancing African
renaissance.
The governor said this in Ibadan on Monday at
the opening ceremony of a three-day conference
held in honour of Prof. Toyin Falola, who clocked
65.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that
the conference, themed “African Knowledge and
Alternative Futures’’, attracted prominent
Nigerians, traditional rulers, academia and
students from Nigeria and diaspora.
Falola is a professor of history whose several
works have been published in international
journals across the world.
“Nigeria stands as a cardinal element in rallying
other Africans together in advancing the cause of
African renaissance,” he said.
Aregbesola in his paper, entitled “Development,
Good Governance and Productivity’’, said that the
people and government must sustain a support
cycle to achieve growth and development.
“The nation is poor and remained poor. This is
because the people do not realise that civilisation
requires people to support government from their
productivity, while government provide
infrastructure.
“The challenge of government is not getting able-
bodied to engage in productive ventures and earn
their living.
“If 50 million able-bodied out of the Nigerian
could be engaged productively, the nation would
have up to N1.5 trillion circulating in the
economy. I bet it Nigeria will become super power
in 20 years,” he said.
The governor said Ibadan does not reflect hosting
a university with the status and calibre of
University of Ibadan if not in anything but
effective waste management system.
Aregbesola condemned the spate of killings in the
country, calling on security agencies to stem the
trend.
“Progress and development can only be achieved
in a society where there is peace,’’ he said.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said that his
administration believed in knowledge-driven
government and governance as upheld by Falola.
Ajimobi, who was represented by Alhaji Olalekan
Alli, the Secretary to the State Government, said
that the present administration would continue to
place priority on knowledge-driven governance.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, urged
Africans to lead a revolution aimed at
strengthening knowledge acquisition, its
dissemination and utilisation.
The monarch, who took the audience through pre
and post-colonial history, said the Old Oyo
Empire reigned for 600 years and longer than any
other empire in Africa.
He stated that the present situation in Nigeria
called for reflections and concerted efforts
towards overcoming the challenges.
On his part, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba
Adedokun Abolarin, said the essence of education
was to serve others in achieving intellectual
development.
He stressed the importance of traditional
institutions, adding the institution must develop
the Yoruba race.
“The trajectory of Falola’s life showed that people
have lot to do in achieving greatness,” he said.
Aregbesola, Ajimobi, Adeyemi and Abolarin in their
separate speeches described Falola as a prolific
and profound author cum Africanist.
NAN reports that the event was chaired by Mr
Jide Owoeye, Proprietor, Lead City University,
while Prof. CBN Ogbogbo and Prof. Gloria
Emeagwali delivered the keynote addresses.
Other dons present were Prof. Emilolorun Aiyelari,
UI DVC (Admin); Prof. Emeritus Femi Osofisan,
Prof. Tam David-West, Amb. Olu Saanu, Prof.
Femi Mimiko, and Dr Tunji Olaopa. (NAN)