Former Petroleum Secretary, Chief Philip Asiodu, has said that with the abundant human and natural resources, Nigerian shouldn’t have been this bad in terms of economic situation.
“Nigeria has a unique geographical location, scores of untapped natural resources and 3, 000 miles away from the Europe market compared to her Asian counterparts, who are 11, 000 miles from the European market and yet she has not been able to utilise the advantage of this geographical location to the advantage of her citizens.”
Chief Asiodu, who spoke at the weekend in Lagos as a Special Guest of Honour at the investiture of Rotarian Isichei Osamgbi, as the 33rdPresident of the Rotary Club Ikoyi, called for the introduction of what he called” qualitative education” that would be fashioned in a way that it would improve on the present poor quality educational system.
He also advocated the teaching of what he termed a national language, which aside English language, will be spoken by children in schools across the country. Asiodu added that each child learning at least one national language would promote unity, oneness and cohesion in a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria, as soon everyone will be able to speak a language that another would understand aside English.
Chairman of Autobahn Technique Ltd who chaired the occasion, Ogbueshi Alban Ofili-Okonkwo, called on Nigeria as a country to start applying the Rotary Four Way Test in picking leaders the way Rotary does, adding that it would go a long in helping to build a healthy nation of quality leaders.
The Rotary Four Way Test says: (1) Is it the Truth, (2) Is it Fair to all concerned, (3) Will it build goodwill and better Friendship, and (4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned. [myad]
