The President, Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has urged Nigerians to support the current administration to address the plethora of challenges bedevilling the country.
Okaba made the appeal at the “Presidential Retreat Warri 2024” convened by the Association of Professional Body of Nigeria (APBN), Delta chapter.
The theme of the two-day event, which started Thursday, is: “Contemporary Challenges in Nigeria: The Response of Professionals.”
Okaba identified the most fundamental challenges bedevilling the country to include: bad governance, weak
institutions, lack of sense of Nationhood and ethical decadence.
The professor of Sociology, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, noted that the challenges highlighted above were neither unprecedented nor insurmountable.
He urged Nigerians, irrespective of their status, to be an agent of change, noting that the solution lied in their attitude, aptitude and the little things they do.
“Our love for this country should be demonstrated in our daily lives. It is patriotism that will impel us to put Nigeria first in all our dealings.
“So we should strive to undertake our professional duties diligently to the best of our abilities, without cutting corners.
“As a professional, you should see your work as a contribution to national development, knowing that any form of ineptitude from you will affect the client and the nation at large.
“We should love Nigeria to the extent that we will lead our organisations and subordinates well to achieve set objectives.
“In doing so, we are adding value to the various social institutions that hold the country together.
“Let us see ourselves as social influencers and agents of positive change, by making transparency, accountability and stewardship our watchword in all our endeavours,” he said.
Okaba urged professional organisations to go beyond protecting the rights and interests of their members and also monitor their conduct to meet the needs of society.
He also urged the professionals to collaborate with the government and be politically active in order to move the country forward.
The don further urged the professionals to utilise their platform to demand accountability from those holding sensitive positions in government.
“We should not only criticise government policies but be part of the decision-making process. This will be possible when we fight to become party stakeholders and political officeholders.
“We should not shy away from politics, because if you leave politics for the “miscreants” you will be the number one beneficiary of their misrule,” he said.
Okaba charged the professionals to indulge in mentoring younger professionals in corporate organisations as well as continuous retraining and exposure of members to modern techniques and conventions.
He advocated for the introduction of professional clubs in primary and secondary schools to prepare young and potential professionals.
Earlier, the President of APBN, Mr Manason Rubainu said that the
retreat marked a significant milestone in the association’s collective journey towards contributing to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria.
“This retreat is an opportunity for us to harness our collective strength and forge a unified path towards a better Nigeria.
“The purpose of this retreat is clear: to deliberate on how we, as an association encompassing all professional bodies in Nigeria, can work together more effectively.
On his part, Dr Sony Ali, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the APBN 2024 Presidential Retreat said that the event would offered a rare opportunity to brainstorm on issues of national importance.
“The retreat will offer rare opportunities of learning, unlearning, brainstorming and synergising with a view to responding to contemporary challenges in Nigeria,” Ali said.
In attendance were: Surv. Akinloye Oyegbola, Chairman of the retreat, Deacon Abel Omalu, Tpl Paul Akporowho, Maxi Okafor, Dr Festus Oshoba and among other professionals.
