The immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has charged the incoming administration on unity and managing diversity for a fair, just and better nation.
Mimiko made the call at the Change and Development Forum powered by the Dare Adeboye Foundation Friday.
It had the theme: “Good Governance and Accountability: Setting the Agenda for Nigeria’s Incoming Administration.”
In his address, Mimiko emphasised steps to help the nation become better developed.
“We must manage and confront our diversity. The ultimate management of diversity is to be fair and just to everybody. You must see this as your number one priority.”
He also strongly recommended that different efforts must be made to make the public space more inclusive while recalling the incident of bigotry and nepotism during the 2023 general election.
According to the former governor, the new administration must be creative, innovative, and deliberate.
He added that we must plan and target, must protect our local and “adire’’ industry as well as begin patronising made-in-Nigeria products.
On how to be more accountable, Mimiko reiterated the need to improve the quality of law enforcement agents and secure the nation.
“Without security, we are talking about nothing. There is a consensus that a centralised policing system cannot secure Nigeria.
“Since all the major presidential candidates have ascribed the evolution of policing to the sub-sectional, the government should quickly ensure that they place state police among other measures in securing Nigeria,” he added.
On measures to develop the nation, he charged the electorate to hold the leaders accountable.
“You must know the mechanisms available to you. That is where freedom of information comes in. It gives access to everybody to demand any information from any government agency.”
As the keynote speaker, Mimiko underscored the need for Nigerians to know what to expect from the leaders.
“We must be aware. If the leaders don’t know their responsibility, we must hold them accountable.”
On his part, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Olatokunbo Talabi, said the state government has been accountable in its approach.
He said: “As an administration, what we have done is that for any project, we call all stakeholders to give us a priority on the reparation of the road that is most important to them.”
Talabi, however, commended the Dare Adeboye Foundation for the timely gathering on governance and development of the nation.
Pastor Leke Adeboye, who is the CEO of the Dare Adeboye Foundation, described the foundation as kingdom advancement that focuses on youth empowerment, education, leadership and government, sanitation, and clean water initiatives.
He highlighted that the foundation, In the last year, recorded many successes, including the donation of a block of eight bathrooms and toilets in Iwo and a community in Akwa-Ibom.
“There was also a donation of a borehole with 10 water tanks in the exact location.”
The foundation has also constructed a 3,000-seater hall/youth church in Ifewa called the Living Seed Church.
“We have organised free training for more than 100 youth in web 3.0 skills blockchain and then NFT and cyber security, and trained about 100 youths in data science among others,” he outlined.
Edu Memorial Lecture is an annual event aimed at bringing sustainability and environmental issues to the fore while articulating sustainable solutions to these issues.
Over the last two decades, notable leaders and renowned experts from around the world have delivered lectures on environmental conservation, policies, and other topical issues.
The lecture is organised by the NCF in collaboration with the Chief S.L. Edu’s family and with the support of Chevron Nigeria Limited.
“The Guest Speaker, Martin Harper, Vice-President, Regions and Partnerships (Acting CEO Designate) BirdLife International, is an individual with over 25 years’ experience of conservation leadership.
“He will deliver the lecture that will set the tone for a high-level discussion on climate change and biodiversity loss.
“The Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other high noteworthy individuals are expected to grace the occasion as the point of discussion has become everyone’s concern,” the statement said.
It said that the lecture would be free attendance, but added that registration was required through NCF’s social media platforms.
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