•Afe Babalola, SAN
Elder Statesman, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, yesterday, warned that Nigeria will remain perpetually poor if it fails to produce rather than consume more.
This came as the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical and Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Rev Simeon Borokini lamented that Nigerians are now subjected to untold hardship, reports Vanguard.
Babalola and Borokini spoke at sparate fora over the weekend.
Speaking while performing the dual role of declaring open the maiden edition of Afe Babalola University Industrial Park Trade Fair, in conjunction with the Nigeria Society of Engineers, NSE, warned that the country might continue in stagnation as long as the incurable attitude of indiscipline, poor work attitude, lack of vision and patriotism are tolerated.
His words: “It is true Nigeria today, is in the doldrums. That however does not mean we should throw patriotism and national interest into the mud. This is because, to me, Nigeria can still become like the USA of this world, or other great countries alike.
“But the bitter truth is that Nigeria can not suddenly become a USA with the way we do things continually and still expect different results. Nigeria is such a rich country, blessed with resources, good weather, a friendly climate and money.
“Unfortunately however, aside from many other obvious factors, the very point where we began to get things wrong is that Nigeria is a nation that consumes more than it produces, and the bitter truth here is that, any country that does that, will remain perpetually poor.
“As a leader by example, even at my age, I abhor laziness and complacency. I do work for 18 hours daily. I do not buy food, I grow them in the farm, I do not buy pepper, tomatoes, chicken or fish, I produce them. How many Nigerians do that?
“As a result, ABUAD was conceived to me, not only as an innovative institution to change things for the better but also as a deliberate way of giving back to society, what I did not get, on a platter of gold.
“Even though I did not have the opportunity of going beyond conventional primary school, neither did I have the opportunity of conventional, class studies of secondary or university education, I struggled on my own, out of strong determination to succeed, coupled with uncommon commitment, to get myself educated at both secondary level, and later the university of London, all through correspondence studies.
“But I thank God today that in all, God has rewarded my dedication, and endowed me with something extra: the ability to work hard, to achieve desired results.”
We’re now subjected to untold hardship—Bishop Borokini
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Ondo Ecclesiastical and Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Rev Borokini has expressed worry over the economic and security challenges Nigerians are now subjected.
The clergyman said this at the third session of the 14th Diocesan Synod, with the theme ‘Breaking the Shackles of Sin,’ held at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ijare area of the state.
Borokini said: “The economic hardship and issue of insecurity in the country have subjected Nigerians to untold hardship.
“The agricultural sector has been the most impacted by the economic downturn and security situation.
“Every country in the world has its problem. When it comes to the matter of the economy, I will say it’s global.
“But for our country, we are blessed. God has endowed us with good land, human, and natural resources, but security has affected our economy.
“The economy is not in good shape, and the cost of living is increasing by the day. Things are becoming tougher, and we don’t pray they continue this way.
“We call on the government as a matter of urgency to re-evaluate and review its economic policies to diversify and revamp the ailing economy to mitigate the adverse effect of subsidy removal on petroleum products on the people.
“I think the government needs to do something about this. If the government can do something about security, I think our farmers will be safe to go to their farms to cultivate.”
