A financial services expert, Omoba Adeleye, has urged Nigerians, particularly young graduates, to remain in the country, lead, innovate and contribute to national development despite the challenges confronting Nigeria.
Adeleye made the call while delivering a convocation lecture at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, on Wednesday, titled, “Reimagining Nigeria: Leadership, Innovation and the Future of Nation Building.”
The guest lecturer, who was represented by Abiodun Ekebafe, described Nigeria as a country that had entered the current decade with both extraordinary human capital and extraordinary frustration.
He said Nigerians were familiar with the challenges facing the country, including unemployment among graduates, difficulties confronting businesses and the increasing desire among young people to seek opportunities abroad.
According to him, “Nigeria also possesses some of the most resourceful and innovative young minds on the continent, with Nigerians making significant contributions in medicine, finance, technology and academia both locally and internationally.”
Adeleye urged the graduating students not to join the bandwagon of those who merely criticise Nigeria, stressing that citizens could not benefit from a country without contributing to its development.
He said the certificates earned by the graduands should serve as a responsibility to determine the kind of Nigerians they would become and the contributions they would make to society.
“The certificate you have earned from the university is a summons demanding from you, what kind of Nigerian will you be, starting today, regardless of where you stand?” he asked.
Adeleye charged the graduands to reject excuses, compete globally, remain teachable after achieving success, build institutions and initiatives that would outlive them, and mentor others even before they considered themselves ready.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Prof Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, said citizens had a role to play in addressing the challenges confronting Nigeria, adding that the academic community had a responsibility to develop innovations capable of tackling the nation’s numerous problems.
Prof Akindele expressed confidence that the guest lecturer would do justice to the topic.