The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuemeka Soludo, says Nigeria is currently undergoing a fundamental and disruptive reset after President Bola Tinubu removed subsidies.
Soludo was speaking at the Veritas University’s 13th Convocation Lecture in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the topic of the lecture titled: “Let Us Make A New Deal for Nigeria” dissects ways to address the country’s challenges.
He said there was need to migrate from the destructive subsidies that benefitted largely the urban elite to a productive social contract that creates opportunity for all.
According to him, we have ended the debilitating scam called fuel subsidy as well as the forex and electricity subsidies.
”We have entered a “muddling-through” phase which we must navigate carefully.
”Take education for example. I am a beneficiary of tuition-free, qualitative primary, secondary and university education in public schools.
”We even had subsidised meals at the public university until government could no longer afford it.
”If there was nothing else that the military regimes used our first and second oil booms for, at least I can attest to their investment in education,” he said.
Soludo encouraged Nigerians to sit up and craft a pragmatic new deal for Nigeria plus an emergency national infrastructure plan akin to the U.S Marshall Plan for Europe after the Second World War.
He also urged Nigerian leaders to take a cue from the U.S Marshall Plan to provide series of programme, public works projects, financial reforms, and regulations that would transform the nation.
”Some elements of the new deal such as the minimum wage legislation, draft tax reform bill, and planned cash transfers are positive signs.
”This moment calls for historic coordination between the federal and state governments to agree on the critical elements of the augmented new deal and Marshall Plan.
”This also include their implementation to deliver outcomes within the shortest possible time,” he said.
The governor charged the graduating students not to fail the country as they had been imbued with knowledge, skills, and a social thought to mobilise them for public good.
”The future you seek is in your palms, and only those who plan can control the future. As I look into your eyes, I can see hope.
” Yes, Nigeria may not have offered you much, but in fulfilment of your divine purpose on earth, you will be expected to give more than you have received.
”I therefore urge you all to show up and participate in shaping the destiny of this nation,” he charged.
In a welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, acknowledged the commitment of the governor to the education of youths.
Ichoku pledged the continued dedication of the veritas university to providing quality education as well as building quality system and moral value of students.
Meanwhile, the institution’s Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Governing council, Dr Matthew Kukah expressed concerns with the ways uneducated persons hold the country into hostage as a result of banditry activities.
Kukah explained that the consequences of this is people no longer feel safe in their country, while calling on the need to clear the circle for the sake of the younger generations.
This news article is republished from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
