Former president Adviser to President Mohammed Buhari on Public Prosecution, Okoi Obono Obla
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Former Adviser to President Mohammed Buhari on Public Prosecution, Okoi Obono Obla, has said he was told that he would not get any appointment in Nigeria for fighting corruption.
Speaking as a keynote speaker at the 16th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture at Metropolitan Hotel Calabar, Cross River State capital, Obla said corruption remains a significant challenge, affecting various sectors, including governance, business, and public services
According to him, Nigeria is vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events
He noted Nigeria has significant agricultural potential, with opportunities for growth in areas like crop production, livestock, and agro-processing renewable energy.
“Nigeria can leverage its renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
“On human capital development: Investing in education, healthcare, and skills development can help Nigeria build a more productive and competitive workforce
“Nigeria’s future is complex and influenced by various factors, including its growing population, economic development, political landscape, and social dynamics
“Nigeria’s future is uncertain, and the country’s development trajectory will depend on how it navigates these challenges and opportunities.
“It is evident that unless corruption is effectively addressed, the future of Nigeria looks grim.
“Corruption has certainly hindered Nigeria’s progress and development to the point that countries like Brazil, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Mexico, which were once on par with or behind Nigeria in terms of development, are now far ahead”, he said.
In his welcome speech, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the 16th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture, dedicated to honouring the memory of one of Nigeria’s most outstanding and endearing broadcasting icon – Late Ralph Chukwuemeka Opara (MON) in recognition of Ralph Opara’s lifetime of achievement.
The Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture series was instituted by the National Association of Seadogs in 2004 to immortalise the icon, Ralph Opara, and to keep his faith alive, by providing a medium to give vent to the views for which he stood steadfastly, throughout his life.
Like the previous ROML lecture series, this 16th lecture in the series is designed to facilitate the continuous charting the course of humanity towards the attainment of an egalitarian and just society.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that Ralph Opara was one of the “Original 7” founders of the National Association of Seadogs at the University of Ibadan.
