It was a beehive of activities in the capital city of Abuja, Nigeria where the FCT Chapter of the Peter Obi Harmonization Forum organized their Executive Committee Inauguration Summit which held on Saturday, 23rd November 2024 at the Nigerian National Merit Award, Maitama Abuja.
The convener of the event, who doubles as the chairman of the FCT, Dr Kingsley Okoronkwo could not hide his joy during his welcome address. He welcomed the mammoth audience that graced the occasion, despite all odds. He was optimistic that the newly inaugurated committee members will work in harmony, to ensure the overall goal is not defeated.
Mr Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Moses Paul, thanked the organizers for a job well done. While reiterating his commitment to a new Nigeria that is built on selfless service, dedication and respect to the rule of law, Mr Obi was quick to caution that a Nigeria that works will not happen on a platter.
“Our collective efforts towards the Nigeria of our dream, remains undaunting,” he said. He assured the newly inaugurated executive of his support, as he hopes to work with all support groups whose vision is geared towards a new Nigeria.
Furthermore, the Chairman of the occasion, Senator Victor Lar, who was represented by Barr. Dennis Habila Gapsiso, informed the audience of the Chairman’s readiness to attend in person, but was not able to, due to a last minute emergency situation. He welcomed all stakeholders from across the FCT and the North central states who graced the occasion. He admonished the newly inaugurated executive to see their position as an opportunity to serve, which is the hallmark of any leader.
“Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development if leaders are not accountable and diligent at their duty post,” he said.
Senator Ireti Kingigbe, who was the guest of honour at the event, gave thumbs up to the organizers, who against the current economic hardship, dared the status quo and organized an event that gives hope to the ordinary Nigerian.
The Senator, who spoke through a one time senatorial candidate in Edo state, Hon Chris Omofoma, challenged participants to keep the fighting spirit until they win. Until Nigeria produces quality leaders, we should not rest.
“The onus lies on us to continue to proffer solutions to our national challenges, or remain on the fence and continue to watch things deteriorate. The choice is ours to make,” he concluded.
The main speaker of the occasion, Comrade Sunday Bala Oma, the CEO, Sunday Bala Oma Foundation delivered the paper titled: Re-Imaging Nigeria’s Future, Exploring Innovative Solutions for Nigeria’s Development Challenges’.
Delivering his paper, Mr Oma categorized Nigeria’s image to the past and the present. He lamented that prior to 2014, the comparism of the economic growth has declined from a GDP of $574.18b in 2014 to $199.72b in 2024, a vast decline in Nigeria’s GDP growth from 6.16% in 2014 to 3.19% in 2024.
Bala Oma further stressed that the current leaders manning the three arms of government have given Nigerians, reasons to doubt their sincerity of governing the country.
“Those who protested against subsidy in 2014 who are now in the helm of affairs, now want us to believe that there is subsidy which they have removed countless times, with no hope in sigh,” he said.
Oma concluded that if Nigeria will come out of the woods, the need to consider reimaging Nigeria’s future through innovative solutions is inevitable.
Some of the solutions he proffered included trust.
“Trust must be established between the leaders and the led. The National Assembly should scrap one arm, and the only arm that should legislate, should do so on a part time basis.” he explained.
Other solutions included: devolution of powers, making INEC and the local governments truly independent as well as diversification of the nation’s vast resources that is yearning for exploitation and exploration across the nation.
High point of the occasion saw, Mr Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Moses Paul, inaugurate the newly elected executives, as well as goodwill messages from the national leadership of the forum led by Hon Joseph Maigari amongst others.
