By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
VICE President Yemi Osinbajo has said that it is the fundamental task of leaders to bring the country to terms for its unity.
” We have to embrace tolerance, open mindedness, show commitment to building a prosperous Nigeria for ourselves and future generations. The future of our nation is wide and everyone has a role to play”, he said
Accordingly, Osinbajo said Nigeria can only be stronger and prosperous together as a nation than been apart, stressing that the unity of the country would help in planning towards shaping its future for sustainable development.
The Vice President noted that champions of divisive approach were always on top of their tendencies of attracting more followership than doing the right thing that unites the country.
Osinbajo made the remark on Friday in Sokoto as Guest Speaker at the maiden pre-convocation Lecture of the Sokoto State University, Sokoto titled ” Nigeria, Some Defining Issues for the Future.”
He said ” we have to think, plan and innovate responsive ideas towards finding solutions to the numerous areas of challenges and difficulties in the course of the journey to prosperity.”
According to the Vice President, the crisis Nigeria was currently going through, can only get worst unless ” we provide viable and reliable means and solutions to them.
” We have to prepare for the future through creative investments in skills , redefining our educational system and priorities and encourage innovations like Nana Asma’u of blessed memory who established an unbroken chain of trade skills and hospitality among many other contributions which history will always remember her”, he cited.
He further noted that Nigeria like other nations of the world was going through fundamental hurdles and ” we have to battle over them to be stable for development”, he stated.
He however, noted that technology was key to attaining even spread of development where provision of physical structures and teacher training were dwelled on and facilitated by encouraging sharper ideas and programmes that would attract you people as vehicle for educational excellence and development.
He said ” beyond ensuring basic education, we should design an exceptional system of education to favourably compete with global work force productivity where concentration on skilled manpower is the vogue like in China and India where their economies have become more attractive to other worlds. The world is fast changing along side increasing availability of technological skills and innovations of sophistications.
” If properly harmonised , would strengthen government capacity to sustain peace, stability and guarantee inclusiveness for prosperity “, he observed.
Stressing further, Osinbajo who mounted the podium amidst uproar of ovation from students said the journey to a vibrant , stable , peaceful and prosperous Nigeria was hinged on four basic components of development .
He enumerated population growth, climate, security and unity as strategic aspects that needed critical and robust approach at responsively attaining the desired dream of a better Nigeria full of opportunities for all socio -economic strata where justice, equity and fairness drive the agenda.
” We must all cherish and nurture the pursuits to success for the benefit of all citizens .”
Osinbajo while critically analysing the concept of each component said clate change had done more devastation to the country than good as a result of flood, draughts , desertification and other challenging factors especially to farmers” we must take all these into account and proffer remedy for a peaceful future.
” Also, not only human security that is needed but the provision of meaningful livelihood that will adequately take care of our large land and huge population where it recognises the inherent danger of attacking villages and remote areas and know how to manage such places as soft targets of bandits”, he pointed out.
She acknowledging the visionary foresight of former governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for establishing the university as a citadel of knowledge ,Osinbajo who felicitated with the graduating students , admonished them to be worthy leaders of tomorrow and not to be fearful amidts the global challenges of time, but ” take the battle in your hands as agents of hope in driving the course of a better Nigeria even as I see the university holding the key to the development of Nigeria, the academic community has the answers to the problems of the country. I must commend the state government for sustaining the institution to where it is.”
In his goodwill message , Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar described the Vice President as a true reflection of an erudite scholar with versatility.
He said ” I am convinced that you would do justice to the topic of lecture at this historic event in the emerging academic legacies that symbolises the uniqueness of the university.
” It is a great honour done to us for your acceptance to deliver the timely lecture. We wait to hear one of the best of your lectures today”, he concluded.
In his vote of thanks , Professor Muhammad Sank Dangoggo , Vice Chancellor of the University thanked the Vice President for making time out of his tight schedules to attend the event while noting that the lecture had dispassionately increased attendants in knowledge and created an atmosphere of appreciating Nigeria ‘s unity, future and development.
Dangoggo also appreciated the role of Sultan Abubakar in securing the presence of the Vice President as well other advisory role.
Dignitaries at the event heralding the grand ceremony Saturday morning were the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Umar Farouk Bn Muhammad, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Dr. Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi to be inaugurated as the Chancellor of the University, the Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Engr. Bello Suleiman, AIG Zone 10, Ali Aji Janga other heads of security agencies ; Police, Immigration, Customs, NSCDC and NCS among others .
