Eminent scholar, Diplomat and former Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (UN), Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, has urged stakeholders to harness the capacity of the nation’s youth and women towards making the maximum contribution to national development.Professor Gambari who spoke on the topic ‘Rebirth of Nigeria: Harnessing the Great Potentials’ however urged the youth and women to be ready to come forward, compete and take over leadership positions, stressing that nobody willingly gives out power.
Speaking further at the event chaired by Mrs Osaretin Afusat Demuren, chairman, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Prof. Gambari said that the most important factor in any political organization is governance which depends largely on the personalities elected into political offices, adding that there can be no rebirth for the country without good governance and taking personal and collective responsibility for making Nigeria a better country for all.
Leadership, he said, must rise to the challenge of the times and citizens must not relent in demanding only the best from those at the helm of governance.
While lamenting that the standards and processes for recruitment and the performance of our leaders over the years have left much to be desired across all the three levels of government, noting that the nation has paid the price in divided societies, persistent poverty, growing inequality, massive corruption, flagrant and pre-mediated abuse of power and office, wastage of public institutions, high level of urban violence, a disaffected youth, and marginalized women.
Prof. Gambari stated that the civil society, NGOs, youths, traditional leaders have a critical role in taking the country back from the grip of visionless leadership anchored in faulty leadership selection process, adding that the people must ensure that the Federal structure in the country is adjusted to ensure good governance at all levels.
In her welcome remarks, Prof. Mbang Femi-Oyewo, chairman, PSN-BOF said that the decision to have the first public lecture of the group was in fulfilment of its mandate to monitor government policies as they affect the practice of the profession and to address contemporary issues of importance within and outside the Pharmacy profession.
She noted that the theme of the lecture is quite apt and timely as Nigeria really need a rebirth at all levels and all sectors, noting that the Pharmacy profession also needs a rebirth.
Amongst the dignitaries at the event were Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, president, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy; Pharm. (Sir) Nnamdi Obi, chairman, Planning Committee; Pharm. N.A.E. Mohammmed, registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN); Pharm. Paul Enebeli, a fellow of the PSN.
