Peter Obi, Ex-NBA President Akpata, Others Ask Edo Youths To Revive Spirit of Production, Self-reliance

The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the February 25th, 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi; the immediate past President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata; Social Critic, Mr. Dele Farotimi, have counseled Edo State youths on the need to imbibe the culture of self-reliance, remain steadfast on ethical standards and also cultivate the spirit of production, as a means to better the state.

The trio and others who spoke, including the former Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Anselm Ojezua and the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami; also harped on citizens rights and obligations, and the need to always hold government accountable by seeking justice where necessary.

They all spoke during the symposium and launch of three hand books: “Citizens Rights and Obligations,” “Ethics, Values and Youth Re-orientation, and “Cottage Industry for Agro and Mineral Raw Materials Processing in Edo State,” organised by Unuedo Renaissance in Benin City, capital of Edo State.

While Obi, Akpata, Farotimi and Ojezua spoke as guest speakers, Salami who served as chairperson of the event gave the keynote address.

Addressing participants who were majorly youths drawn from secondary and tertiary institutions in Edo, Obi, a former Anambra State Governor who spoke virtually, asked them to imbibe the spirit of production as a means to progress like other countries of the western world.

Obi, said because he understood the importance of production, he had to ensure it becomes one of his mantras during the presidential campaign to emphasise that he would make the country shift away from consumption to production.

He also noted that the country attained its present state because of scarcity of role models including political leadership to drive the necessary change.

Obi, who commended organisers of the event, Unuedo Renaissance, enjoined all and sundry to be steadfast on ethical standards to immediate community and state, pursue and seek justice when necessary, noting that these were some of the vital issues that would ensure brighter future for the youth in Edo State.

On his part, Akpata, the former NBA president, enjoined the youths to always strive to enthrone good leadership which is deficient in Nigeria.

He said, “because we are poor in leadership and management, Nigeria as a country has remained the way it is.”

According to him, “In Nigeria democracy, citizens don’t matter and out of the equation”, adding however, that if the people know the enormous power they have and utilise it, “there is no way the country will not enthrone the right leadership that will drive the country to prosperity.”

Speaking also on one of the thematic areas, ‘Cottage Industries for Agro and Mineral Raw Materials Processing in Edo’, Akpata quipped: “Industries cannot work without ethics and values because you cannot place something on nothing.”

He said the best way to move forward was by making ethics, values an essential ingredient in whatever we do either at home, in school, church and workplace.

To Farotimi, how to get Nigeria working again based on the three thematic areas could only be achieved through good governance, right ethics and values; where the rule of law works; that is where there is equal rights and justice; and citizens are allowed to determine how they are governed.

Ojezua while praising the organizers, said the time had come for government at all levels to stand tall and agree that rather than exporting raw materials, we should produce those raw materials to finished products which would in turn guarantee jobs for the employed youths and others in the society.

In her keynote Address, Salami, the chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, thanked Unuedo Renaissance for organising such a symposium to equip the youths with the necessary tools as citizens.

She said while citizens have right to life, liberty, fair hearing, quality educate as enshrined in the constitution, they should also know they have certain obligations to the state in form of respect to constituted authority, payment of taxes and levies.

The vice chancellor who was represented by the deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Kate Ogbomwan, advised youths to shun corruption both in public and in private, engage in civic education, pursue ethical revolution, hold leaders accountable at all times and organise orientation programmes rather than being mere critics, as well as create unity to enhance the state natural base for the benefit of all.

Earlier, President of Unuedo Renaissance, Nuhu Yakubu in his welcome address, said the objectives behind the programme was to empower the youths.