– Seeks renewal of the social and economic infrastructure of Nigeria.
– Advocates bold strategies for nation-building
Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc, Tony Elumelu, has stated that transforming Nigeria is a journey that requires collective dedication, ‘one that is not the responsibility of our government alone as it behooves us all to collaborate in unity to reset Nigeria’.
Speaking at the 63rd Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, General Conference in Abuja, Elumelu said “Transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands our collective dedication, building across political affiliations, ethnic differences, and socioeconomic differences one that is not the responsibility of our government alone. Great nations start with great people, not just great leaders. Our private sector, our philanthropies, our civil society, all citizens must be brought together and be empowered as real, valued, and executing partners for this national renewal, this nation building”.
He emphasized that the potential of Nigeria lies in its abundant human and natural resources evident by the remarkable achievements of Nigerians worldwide.
“We know the potential of Nigeria, we know the resources, human and natural, that Nigeria has at her disposal. We champion the successes of Nigerians globally – in international leadership positions at the WTO, at the UN, at the African Development Bank, at the Afreximbank, in technology, in music and entertainment, in business, in arts, and media, in film, in sports. Indeed, in virtually every human endeavor, Nigerians excel”
Elumelu who described Nation as “A call to arms” noted the challenges faced by Nigerians and stressed the need to address these issues.
He said: “We know our energy deficits, we experience the disillusionment of our youth, manifest in the tragic loss of talent, as our young, at times, and great risk to themselves, seek opportunities abroad. Opportunities that our fertile, bountiful country should supply, we see the plundering of our commonwealth through oil theft and pipeline destruction in broad daylight.”
“We experience every day the impact of climate change, we see our loved ones kidnapped and killed. Insecurity breeds disorder feeds intolerance, and destroys opportunity, our country has experienced unnecessary division and the squandering of heritage.”
Nation-building is a call to arms, a vital task, a necessity Elumelu said.
According to Him, a comprehensive renewal of the country’s social and economic infrastructure which includes investing in youths and empowering them with the means to succeed in Nigeria will remedy the situation.
“When I talk of infrastructure, I do not mean just roads or rail, bridges, or ports, I mean Investment in our youth, we need to renew our commitment to our youth, provide them with the means to succeed in Nigeria, not beyond Nigeria.”
“This means not just investment in our education system, but in our entrepreneurial culture. Nigeria is a nation of entrepreneurs, you know me as an investor and champion of entrepreneurs, I know the social and economic returns entrepreneurship creates. Let us create a joined-up government task force to champion at the highest level, our young and our entrepreneurs. When entrepreneurs succeed, we succeed as a nation. If they don’t, we all fail.”
“The nurturing of entrepreneurship is not merely an economic endeavor, but a social responsibility. By empowering our youth, and supporting start-ups and SMEs, the private sector contributes to equitable wealth distribution, job creation, and social advancement. It paves the way for economic empowerment that uplifts communities and contributes to a more inclusive society. We all owe this to our people, even for our enlightened self-interest.”
Besides the youth, Elumelu called for investment in Women, the power sector, Security, Brand Nigeria, and Nigeria as a whole.
He said “Let us invest in our women. When a woman succeeds, families and communities are lifted out of poverty. I am a product of a hardworking woman who greatly influenced, supported, and groomed me. It is no surprise that in my businesses, women lead and flourish.”
“Let us invest in our power sector, let us create regulatory structures that reward success and deliver sustainable robust power supply to Individuals, Schools, Hospitals, and Industries.
“Let us invest in our social infrastructure, in our civil society, our courts of law, and our administrators of justice. No country and no entrepreneur can truly thrive without the rule of law, without peace, without certainty and fairness for all, for our young, our old, our women and our men, our future generations.”
“Let us invest in security: Banditry; kidnapping; oil theft; pipeline vandalization, transmission line cuts. These create uncertainties, fears, deprivation, poverty, and untold hardship.”
“Let us invest in brand Nigeria: We know the frustrations. We know that the joblessness of our youth is a betrayal of a generation, and the plundering of our commonwealth is inhumane, but we have no other motherland than Nigeria. Let us invest in Nigeria so we are respected abroad and at peace and prosperous at home.”
Elumelu commended the President for the bold economic reforms, though tough but necessary in transforming the country.
He said: “We have already seen that tough, and long-avoided economic decisions have been taken. We salute the political will and courage that have been found to address the root causes of issues, to introduce policies for the long term, not for the short term. Let us build on this boldness. Congratulations President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”
He noted that Nation building is not a quick fix, it entails sacrifices and we cannot keep doing the same things and expect different outcomes.
He charged Nigerians to lead our nation-building by laying important foundations, making important sacrifices for the nation, and approaching the task of nation-building with unwavering determination, guided by the principles of unity, inclusivity, and progress.
“Let our pursuit of nation-building be characterized by unwavering determination, empathy, and the commitment to create a legacy of progress, unity, and hope for generations to come.”
