Former Governor of Anambra state and Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Peter Obi, has advised the Nigerian youth to venture into politics irrespective of how they view the political field, noting that their involvement would help in advancing the development of the country.
Obi who made this declaration at the February edition of the quarterly Words of Wisdom (WoW) series organised by Wesley Chapel Lekki as guest speaker, spoke extensively on his experiences both as a corporate executive and politician; saying young people should get involved in politics and become change leaders to be able to enjoy a secure future.
“Many people have said politics is negative and therefore, they don’t want to be associated with it. My candid advice to all young Nigerians is that they should get into politics and actively participate. Yes, you might have dissenting views concerning politics and all that is done in government but if you don’t participate, how do you expect your beloved country to develop? How your future and that of Nigeria shapes up depends on what role you played in the development of the nation,” he said.
The former governor who narrated to the audience present, his ordeals with regards to corruption in Anambra state while as governor lamented about the state of corruption in the country and said all hands must be on deck to fight the seemingly incurable vice. He however noted that the fight against corruption must go “beyond what we read in newspapers.”
“Corruption Kills. The corruption problem is bigger that what we are seeing and can be wholly remedied by tightening of the loopholes. We must fight for our country; fight corruption beyond what we read in newspapers by eliminating wastages embedded in government bureaucracies. Public wealth and not private wealth builds the economy,” he remarked.
Speaking on the level of entrepreneurial drive in Nigeria, Obi, who once served as the Chairman of Fidelity Bank, said entrepreneurship remains a key driver of any economy and must be encouraged. The SEC Chair who noted the low level of entrepreneurial activities in the country attributed it to the sleaze and brazen highhandedness associated with government officials at all levels.
“We have great minds that compare with the likes of Bill Gates but could not thrive because corruption kills creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit. A Nigerian was recently celebrated for selling his company to Apple for $1 billion. Do you think that would have happened if he were here in Nigeria? The same system would have frustrated his business from prospering,” he remarked.
Advising present entrepreneurs not to despair despite the present economic climate of the country and also encouraging people to take up entrepreneurship and create wealth, Obi remarked; “If a man has never created wealth, he cannot manage wealth.”
He also had a word for Nigerians who are frantically ensuring that they leave the country to get employed and take up residency abroad; “For our country to develop, we must have faith in her. We must all keep our monies and talents here. Keeping monies overseas impoverishes us. We must believe in our country to make it work.”
Also speaking, the Convener of the Words of Wisdom series, Sir Demola Aladekomo said; “We have had the privilege of listening to a patriotic Nigeria, Sir Peter Obi, whose experience transverse the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy as a senior business leader and top public officer. He excelled in both the private and public sectors and his testimonies here today is a testament that hard work and honesty pays, two virtues which are painfully becoming scarce in our country today.”
Words of Wisdom is a programme conceived by Sir Aladekomo, to reach out and provide quality mentorship for young people to ensure they excel in their personal and professional lives. The programme provides young people with the platform to listen, question and engage senior business leaders, administrators and entrepreneurs on how to plan and make decisions that will benefit their careers.
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