The Vice Presidential Candidate of the Pe oples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 General Election, Mr. Peter Obi, on Tuesday thrilled the Academic Community of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN with his analysis of restructuring and why it must happen for Nigeria to develop.
Obi, who was the Guest lecturer at the 4th Adada Lecture organized by the Association of Nsukka Professors, ANP, at the Princess Alexandria Auditorium and Unity Hall of the University, said that the clamour to change the Presidency without restructuring amounts to changing the driver of a vehicle without brain box, and expect it to move.
A statement from the Media Office of the former Anambra state Governor, signed by Media Director, Valentine Obienyem, said he spoke on ‘Restructuring, Security Challenges and Development’ and noted that without restructuring the system fundamentally, no effort can come out of the struggle for Presidency in 2023.
“All over the place people have been urging me to go for President in 2023, we will vote for you but I say to them, the vehicle called Nigeria has no brain box but people are talking of changing driver only”
“What can a driver of a knocked engine or car with a faulty or no brain box do? Absolutely nothing until the vehicle goes for complete overhaul.”
“Those clamouring for restructuring are saying fix the car first, then look for a driver”
Obi said that those opposed to fixing the car are exploiting the owner on the day to day repairs and thought it would pay them better than having a good working car that can serve everybody.
He said that those opposed to restructuring are ignorant of the benefits therein, and would do everything to enable the unworkable status quo to remain.
To the excitement of the students and lecturers that had the magnificent hall filled to capacity, Obi listed the numerous gains of a restructured Nigeria which includes paying the lecturers their worth and making the students study in a conducive environment.
“Professors are house helps to politicians. How can such society grow? Professor advising Local Government Chairman and running after political thugs when it should be the other way round”
Obi said that Nigerian students are among the best in the World, given the terrible condition of study they operate.
He regretted that Nigerian politicians see thugs who cluster around and praising them as a measure of popularity instead of seeing them as wasted production hands who should be in factories.
“All these youths who go about shouting and hailing political leaders are supposed to be factory workers. If they were in their firms producing, they won’t have time to come hailing anybody”
Obi charged the Academics to strive to belong, instead of leaving the political space for those who should not be there in the first place.
The former Governor said that security is everything, that’s why the Constitution said it’s the primary function of Government. “We are here because it’s secure”
On development, Obi said that the basis for its measurement is on human capital because a developed person catalyzes every other forms of development.
The well attended lecture was chaired by a former Federal Permanent Secretary, Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa, and attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state, Senator Chuka Utazi of Enugu North Senatorial zone and the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Charles Igwe.
