December 15, 2024
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, has called for bold and decisive leadership to address Nigeria’s persistent problems.
He made the call in a compelling speech delivered over the weekend at the 14th Convocation Ceremony of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.
Dogara, who served as the nation’s fourth-highest official from 2015 to 2019, also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his resolve and highlighted key areas requiring urgent reform, including power sector improvements, leadership accountability, tax reforms, education, and harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s youth.
The former Speaker, now a practising lawyer, emphasised the importance of resolving Nigeria’s energy crisis as the cornerstone of national progress.
“Let us fix the energy crisis, for without power, our efforts to industrialize would continue to be a pipe dream. How ludicrous is it when I hear people talk about transitioning from a consumer nation to a producer nation when we cannot generate enough electricity to power our homes after years of massive investment in that sector without any demonstrable results.”
He stressed the necessity of accelerating power sector reforms, particularly through privatization.
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“Let no one beguile us, for without adequate and reliable power supply, our dream of a robust MSME ecosystem would remain only that, a dream! The privatization of the power sector started in the past, should be continued and accelerated with the speed of light,” he asserted.
Dogara lauded President Tinubu for demonstrating bold leadership, which he described as essential for Nigeria’s recovery.
“Above all, we must understand that it is lack of leadership that plunged us into the mess we are in right now… failure to prevent bad problems from getting progressively worse, and it is effective leadership that will move us out of here.”
He praised Tinubu’s ability to tackle tough issues head-on, adding that “instead of spreading blame or avoiding tough conundrums, effective leaders own and tackle those situations as if they were of their own making.”
Highlighting recent governance milestones, Dogara stated: “With what President Tinubu has done, whether it is the freeing of LGAs from the chokehold of economic stagnation the states had hitherto subjected them to or the groundbreaking bold tax reforms proposals he has placed before the National Assembly, I see a glimmer of hope that we may well be dealing with a leader who is prepared to lead with unbridled courage even at personal cost.”
Dogara stood firmly in support of President Tinubu’s tax reforms, urging critics to present constructive alternatives rather than reject them outright.
He said “I support the President’s tax reforms not because they are perfect but because it is the right thing to do. Leaders who are dedicated to reforms and progress don’t make such poor judgment calls, at all.”
He stressed the need for open dialogue on policy disagreements: “What is acceptable, to my mind, is that all those opposed to the reforms should clearly spell out what they are disagreeing with and make better propositions than that of the president for us to compare and contrast in order to make informed choices.”
Dogara also emphasised the role of academic institutions in driving Nigeria’s development, urging universities to focus on research and innovation with real-world applications.
“As centres of learning and innovation, universities like ours must play a central role in addressing these challenges. Research and development should focus on practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic problems,” Dogara said.
He called for stronger partnerships between academia, industries, and government to foster innovation, saying, “Partnerships with industries and government will also ensure that the knowledge generated within our walls has real-world applications.”
“Innovation must be the watchword because, in an increasingly competitive world, anyone who out-innovates you in any field will out-compete you.”
Addressing the Achievers University graduating class, Dogara inspired them to take ownership of Nigeria’s future: “To our graduating students, I urge you to remain hopeful and resilient. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but you are equipped with the tools to overcome them. You are the leaders of tomorrow, the architects of a better Nigeria.”
Encouraging them to act on their knowledge, he said: “Take pride in your achievements and embrace the responsibility that comes with them. You will soon realize that one is not wise because he knows the right things but because he does the right things he knows.”
Further in his remarks, Dogara urged Nigerians to unite in building an economy that works for all: “Let us, as a community and a nation, commit to building an economy that works for all, a Nigeria where every citizen can achieve their full potential.”
He noted further with a rallying cry for immediate action: “The time for action is now, not later or tomorrow. With determination, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for a brighter future of incredible economic growth and prosperity.”
