Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has emphasised that Nigeria’s greatness depends on collective effort and accountability, urging all stakeholders in the national development to take ownership and fulfil their responsibilities in their daily activities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call at the 2024 Annual Directors Conference, themed “Business Meets Government Dinner,” held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, saying that Nigerians in their respective positions should do what was right to achieve greatness for the country, even as he noted that Nigerians were the best at what they do.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised that instead of complaining about others, citizens should focus on providing lasting solutions by taking initiative, solving problems, and being accountable for their actions within their sphere of influence.
“You just clean your environment, because if we all clean our environment, this country will be great. So, you solve your own problem and leave the others to solve theirs. The bottom line is that if we look at what we do right, you will know that as Nigerians we are the best; we are just the best. How do we now harness that, and that is the challenge?” he said.
The governor identified family units as the major problem that required attention, warning that nothing would work as desired if not solved.
According to him, every nation’s community today is the function of family values, positing that the success of the country depends on how well the family units are, just as he emphasised that bounding and building the family unit of any nation can lead the country to greatness and prosperity.
“The question is: how do we make ourselves accountable, how do we maintain our family unit, and how do we maintain our lanes? If we do that, I am sure this country will be great again. It is about us as a people and making sure that the corridor is clean. If we all clear our corridor, this county will be great again,” he said.
On the importance of infrastructure to national development and economic growth, Sanwo-Olu said infrastructure in Nigeria, in reality, is better than in other African countries’ infrastructure, pointing out that the problem in the country is not about lack of enough infrastructure or policy inconsistency, but “How do we let ourselves be accountable when you do something wrong?”
“The reality is that a lot of our infrastructure is better than other African countries’ infrastructure, so the problem is not enough infrastructure; the problem is not policy inconsistency; the problem is how do we let ourselves be accountable when you do something wrong?” the governor stated.
President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria, Alhaji Tijjani M. Borodo, in his opening remark, stated that the event became pivotal owing to the need for leaders in government and business to align their visions and actions to overcome business environment challenges such as policy inconsistencies, infrastructure deficits, and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Borodo emphasised that the journey through the road of economic recovery, growth, and development would not be a smooth ride without the partnership between the government and business leaders.
According to him, as business leaders, they were bringing forth innovation, agility, and capital necessary for growth, saying that government, on the other hand, must create an enabling environment through policies that are clear, consistent, and supportive.
“This dinner provides the platform for candid conversations about the way forward. The challenges we face, be it in infrastructure, human capital development, or governance, require collective action.
“We cannot afford to operate in silos. As we engage with one another tonight, I encourage us to think about the long-term partnerships that can be forged. Creating a Nigeria where businesses thrive and citizens enjoy a higher quality of life should be our shared vision,” the CIoD said.
Speaking further, Borodo noted that neither the government nor business can singlehandedly drive the transformation that Nigeria requires, stressing that the government and private sector must work together.
Besides, he further noted that Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) have been successful in other contexts, saying that stakeholders must deepen their commitment to such collaborations,
He, however, expressed the commitment of the institute to facilitating dialogue between both sectors and advocating policies that promote good governance and economic growth.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, our nation is pivotal in Africa’s economic journey. With emerging technologies, shifting global dynamics, and evolving market demands, the need for seamless cooperation between the private and public sectors has never been more urgent. The partnerships between government and private sectors play a decisive role in shaping our country’s future.
“The private sector, with its dynamism, innovation, and capacity for growth, must work in concert with government institutions to create an enabling environment for sustainable development. This is not just a goal; it is a necessity if we are to achieve our economic aspirations,” Borodo concluded.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, National Organising Committee, Dr. Fatumata Coker, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, described the event as networking between business leaders and policymakers, saying that it was germane in ensuring the alignment of goals for a prosperous Nigeria.
“Tonight presents a unique opportunity for direct engagement—a space where ideas, insights, and solutions can be exchanged. Our aim is simple: to reinforce the importance of collaboration and to chart a course forward that benefits all Nigerians.
“With public sector favourable policies and regulatory frameworks and the private sector’s innovation and execution, we can create lasting value,” he said.
Coker, while encouraging participants to seize the moment to build bridges and to lay the groundwork for partnerships that would yield tangible results for the growth and development of the country, further reminded them that the dinner was not the end of their discussions but rather the beginning of a renewed commitment to working together.
Coker, while noting that the nation’s economic potential is vast, said unlocking it required a united effort, expressing confidence that through collaboration, mutual respect, and shared vision, the challenges ahead would be overcome and a brighter future for Nigeria unlocked.
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