Kelvin Obambon|20 July 2018
All was set as the Post Graduate Students' Government of the University of Calabar, yesterday, held its public lecture titled, ''Change viz-a-viz Politics in Contemporary Nigeria'', NegroidHaven can report authoritatively.
The event which took place at the University of Calabar International Conference Centre was attended by members of staff and management of the University of Calabar, public office holders, students and the general public.
Making his remarks at the commencement of the event, the chief host and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, thanked all the invited guests and participants for turning up for the event.
He said: ''I want to thank all of you for turning up in your numbers and to quickly apologize to our guests…
Actually, we know about this event, but because of our crowded schedule, we couldn't plan effectively for your coming, otherwise we should have organized properly and invite all students -not just graduate students, all staff and the entire management to be here to welcome you, because you are one of those representing us at the federal level.''
Also speaking, the event host and dean, school of post graduate studies, Prof. Arikpo B. Arikpo, lauded the Vice Chancellor for the support given to graduate school which has enabled it to carryout several innovations. He listed some of the innovations that have taken place in the school since his assumption of office as the dean to include, substantial increase in the number of students enrolment into the graduate school, verifiable increase in the number of graduands from the graduate school, establishment of University of Calabar Resources Development Centre, online transcript preparation, research methodology and application skill development unit, job placement and linkages unit, online distance learning programme, among others. Prof. Arikpo however maintained that the innovations are in tune with the current change agenda.
In his keynote address titled, ''Change -the Rhetorics, the Results'', Rt. Hon. Bassey Eko Ewah, who is the member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, said the present government rode to power on the promise of bringing change in the country. This, according to him, was a propaganda campaign, as realities on ground reveal otherwise. Rt. Hon. Bassey Eko, who was represented at the event by Hon. Nelson Ofem, expressed sadness over the abyssmally poor performance of the All Progressive Congress, APC, after spending three years in power and still far away from fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.
The federal lawmaker concluded with a call on the people to take interest in political happenings in the country, saying their criticism of government will not be morally justified if they do not take active part in the electoral process.
''The ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had embarked on an unprecedented propaganda campaign that promised Nigerians CHANGE encapsulated in two main documents titled ''SECURING NIGERIA'S FUTURE'' and ''ROADMAP TO A NEW NIGERIA'' both duly signed by then candidate Muhammadu Buhari. Change was the slogan and the main message of the party. It is an irrefutable fact that a party's manifesto represents a social contract that the party intends to have with the people if and when elected into office.
''However, the stark reality is that after three years, the vast majority of Nigerians have come to agree that the government is still very far from delivering on its promises to the people.
I will enjoin us to not see this address as any subjective assessment of the APC led Federal Government, but more of an honest attempt at reminding us of the current realities facing us as a country, with a view to challenging our intellect, innovativeness, patriotism and collectivism to pull together to rescue our country from the brink. It is only in acknowledging our challenges that we can begin to apply our minds to finding workable solutions to them.
''In conclusion, I am asking you to take a much higher interest in political developments in our country. You will have no moral justification to wail and criticize the government if you do not participate in the process of voting and being voted for.'', Hon. Ewah said.
Delivering his lecure on ''Change viz-a-viz Politics in Contemporary Nigeria'', the guest speaker, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, a former senator who represented Cross River Southern Senatorial District at the 7th Senate, said, conscious efforts should be made to strengthen institutions in the country, while describing as unfortunate a situation where an individual appears stronger than the institutions in contemporary Nigeria.
The former legislator, represented by Hon. Patrick Asikpo Okon, stressed the need for Nigeria to learn from history as it will guide the country toward steering the right path in leadership and governance.
His words: ''It's rather unfortunate in our country today or in contemporary politics, a single individual is stronger than the institutions put together. We need to evolve conscious efforts to strengthen our institutions for posterity.
''Coming back to our contemporary politics, what Nigeria needs to do is to study history and learn from the past. From our history we see that when Nigeria begins to make progress at good governance, human progress, justice and enthroning a disciplined leadership that averts the delayed gratification without which there cannot be any long term growth, suddenly, from nowhere comes a FALSE messiah to offer the people relief and immediate change which stifles national growth.
''Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Our task is to learn and make sure we are not deceived into recycling failed leaders who will repeat their actions of making Nigeria poorer even when we have the natural and human resources to attain a reasonable standard of living for all, not just a selected few of our people.''
Another guest speaker, Chief (Barr) Okoi Obono-Obla, senior special assisstant to the president on prosecution, who presented a paper on ''The Place of Anti-graft Agencies in Nigeria Change Agenda'', posited that corruption lives among the people and can be spotted in every sphere of the polity- in families, among friends, politics, religious and secular organizations and the educational sector.
He affirmed that there is no known venture in Nigeria today with a high return on investment like corruption and official graft, saying, ''It is the fastest growing industry.''
Chief Obla said corruption has become the underlying intent for which people venture into politics, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has demonstrated political will to combat and eradicate corruption by putting adequate modalities in place to strengthen anti-corruption agencies as well as enhancing cooperation among them.
Speaking further, the presidential aide said a lot of strategies and policies, such as never experienced in the country, have been evolved to block loopholes and leakages used to siphon public funds by unscrupulous government officials. He disclosed that the Special Presidential Panel for the recovery of public property, which is one of the anti-graft bodies, is presently working with the Serious Fraud Office in the United Kingdom to investigate numerous Nigerian public office holders who have properties and assets worth hundreds of million pounds.
He however went on to highlight other institutional reforms undertaken by the present government to include, the adoption of Treasury Single Account(TSA), creation of Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit(PICA), creation of Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme(VAIDs), the Whistle Blowing Policy, among others.
The event ended with presentation of souvenirs to the dignitaries by the dean of post graduate school, Prof. Arikpo B. Arikpo and president of PGSG, Mr Abanda Uket.
Obambon blogs for NegroidHaven
