Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association, popularly known as UNIFEMGA, has identified lack of visionary leadership and corruption among others as challenges facing Nigeria.
The alumni body of Obafemi Awolowo University made this known in a communique issued at the end of its 2021 National Annual Reunion Conference with the theme “Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Myths, The Facts, The Realities”.
The communique was signed by UNIFEMGA National President, Engineer Abdulfattah Olanlege and the National Public Relations Officer, Shamsideen Adenopo.
It noted that in the 21st century, knowledge was the greatest capital which Nigeria must ensure was all encompassing in the choice of leaders at all levels and on all issues.
The association recommended restructuring of the country, lamenting the increasing cases of insecurity.
Part of the communique read, “The major factors accounting for the relative decline of the country’s economic fortunes are easily identifiable as political instability, lack of focused and visionary leadership, economic mismanagement, poor communication and corruption.
“A lot of the debates around national issues are driven more by ignorance than knowledge, consequently debates are embroiled in emotive outburst rather than evidence-based, civilized conversation.
“The knowledge base existing in our various educational institutions has not translated into solutions for the problems of our society.
“There is need to restructure the country in such a way that all sections of the country will have a sense of belonging as the current provisions of the constitution, has vested the total control of all minerals, including oil on both land and water, in the federal government.
“The issue of insecurity, stagnating economy and bad governance especially decay of institutions, endemic corruption and inability to manage diversity will be a thing of the past, if the country is able to reach national consensus and communicate effectively with the citizens.”
The association cautioned that no meaningful change could take place and be sustained in the society if it was not driven by a set of core values.
“If the country is able to reach national consensus and communicate effectively with the citizens, the issue of insecurity, stagnating economy and bad governance, especially decay of institutions, endemic corruption and inability to manage diversity will be a thing of the past,” the communique said.
The association also awarded N6.99 million in scholarships to 113 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The communique noted that N40 million had been disbursed to over 700 students of the institution since the scholarship was introduced in 2009/2010 session.
