Divided Nigeria cannot prosper - Adejo

The Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Andrew Adejo, has said that a divided Nigeria cannot survive and prosper. Adejo, who is also the Secretary, inter-ministerial Committee on "Nigeria at 60" awards, said this in an interview in Abuja on Saturday, while receiving an award on behalf of Mr Boss Mustapha, the SGF.

Supreme reports that the award was presented to Boss Mustapha as well as to the Permanent Secretary by "'Say It Loud" group, organisers of the award initiative. The Permanent Secretary said that the clamour for the division in Nigeria is not realistic. He said that Nigeria's division is not workable. Look across the country there are intermarriages, our cultures are the same because we are one. Unity involves both government and the people.

He said government has to do more to convince the people that it has their interests at heart by reducing the level of unemployment and putting money in people's pockets through social investment schemes. Nigerians are very enterprising. People should be given opportunities to be engaged. Person that are engaged will not listen to advise to go and fight. He urged the government to continue to provide social services for people, while encouraging private investors to provide the needed support. The private sector should not be dependent on the government because private sector drives growth, and government should also enhance public-private partnerships.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director, Mr Fasina Olakunle, Director, Public and Bilateral Relations of the OSGF, noted that 60 years of Nigeria's independence was worthy of celebration. It is 60 years of development, 60 years of growth, 60 years of learning to come together and the theme of programme, 'Independence for Nigeria at 60', was 'Together'. He said that the fact that we are still together in spite of all the clamour for break up is a sign of development. This was very important and that was the reason government underscores it at every given opportunity.

The director urged government to take steps to discourage those Nigerians who try to derail government from the path of growth and development. He added that there is the need for improvement on the educational sector as well as job creation. Job creation is another critical area where government needs to look into. There are an army of unemployed graduates and this is a potential risk for any country.

He advised that government should look into brilliant people that have been trained and tutored, but have developed skills in the negative direction. This is a potential time bomb for any country. In response, the Managing Director of the group, "Say It Loud" , Mr Femi Oyelade, lauded the award recipients – SGF and the Permanent Secretary – for their guidance and support. He said that the special awards were in recognition of their contributions to the Nigerian @60 project.

He said organising the awards was challenging but fulfilling and promised a better award ceremony subsequently. He would take the permanent secretary's advice to go back and be innovative and create different works for achievements and recognition awards in order to push people and also encourage Nigerians. Supreme reports that on Sept. 30, Nigeria@60 award took place and awards were given to 60 notable Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavours.