The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has identified systemic corruption and bad leadership as the biggest obstacles to Nigeria’s development.
These were the submissions at the MSSN B Zone at the 13th Annual Symposium, tagged Ondo 2024, with the theme “Transforming the Devastated Macro-Environment for a Sustainable Economy,” held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
While delivering his paper, Barrister Musibau Adetunbi (SAN) advised Nigerians to undergo an attitudinal change to foster and entrench the culture of transparency and open communication for the growth of the country.
He urged people to fight corruption head-on, describing it as one of the major challenges confronting the nation, and to ensure that merit is prioritised over other biases.
While observing that the world has transitioned into a digital age, Adetunbi advised people to positively utilise technology to grow the economy and keep it in check.
He called on the MSSN to become good ambassadors of the country, to avoid replicating the failures of the present generation, and to always speak truth to power and stand for what is just, becoming fearless advocates for positive change, fairness, and justice.
“Our fundamental problem is not the letters of the law but our attitude. The constitution is not the one failing us; we are the ones failing the constitution,” he stated.
He further identified the forces of socio-ethical issues influencing the reformation of Nigeria’s economy as corruption, bias replacing merit, insecurity, unethical business practices, a lack of good and competent leaders, and an unhealthy love for money.
Also, Prof. Abd-Rauf Sanye Ogunsaki, who presented a paper titled “Evaluation of the Macroeconomic Environment: The Challenges of the Governed and the Government,” identified primary factors contributing to the backwardness of Nigeria as arrogance, laziness, self-gratification, empty rhetoric, and inadequate leadership.
According to him, these factors collectively highlight the issue of poor governance and distorted macroeconomic policies, resulting in widespread poverty, corruption, economic wrongdoing, and sluggish economic growth.
Ogunsaki, who identified corruption, insecurity, poor leadership, and various other impediments to the sustainable economic growth of the country, considered these issues to be the most delicate currently confronting the nation.
He advised that there is an urgent need to address the challenges identified in order for the country to achieve accelerated economic growth and be on the path to greatness.
He also recommended diversifying the economy and called on individuals to engage in other ventures that can generate income, noting that this is the only solution to the current challenges.
The Chairman of the event, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, tasked participants with making good use of what they had learnt for a better Nigeria.
Takuro encouraged the Imams and Alfas to refer to the scriptures and ensure that people follow what the Quran preaches in the development of the country.
The Chairman of the League of Imams and Alfas, Ondo State, Alhaji Ahmed Akadesawe, in his speech, urged Nigerians to change their attitude and pray for God’s forgiveness to redeem the country.
“Prayer and a change of attitude,” he reaffirmed, “is the only way to bring Nigeria back to its lost glory. Only God can revive Nigeria because all sectors have been corrupted and bastardised,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede, appreciated the organisers, saying the event was an eye-opener for many others to emulate the good gesture.
Akorede, who also applauded the governor for his recent appointment of special advisers and senior special assistants, warned people to be mindful of their utterances regarding the number of Muslims in governance and encouraged active participation in politics.
“Do not utter anything that will affect the peace and tranquilly in the state,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the B Zone MSSN Amir, Dr Moshood Kolawole Adelaja, charged participants to take away actionable insight that will contribute to the collective progress of the nation
He said the MSSN chose the theme believing there is a need to build a resilient economy that serves the needs of the present and future generations.
His words: ” Transforming a devastated macro-environment into a sustainable economy requires a holistic approach that addresses economic, environmental, social and governance challenges, which is achievable by embracing sustainable practices and policies fostering inclusivity for good governance.”
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