Given present realities in the country, an NGO called Just Friends Club of Nigeria (JFCN) believes there is an urgent need to reset the Nigerian economy and infrastructure.
Mr Fred Ohwahwa, President of JFCH, made the plea on Wednesday during JFCH’s 10th annual anniversary lecture in Abuja.
Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a leading human rights campaigner, delivered the lecture, titled “Resetting Nigeria.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), JFCN is a socio-cultural organisation that nurtures and encourages a sense of oneness and companionship among its members and other friendly organisations.
It also participates in relaxation and sports, as well as philanthropy for the less fortunate segments of society.
According to Ohwahwa, resetting was also necessary in infrastructure development, agriculture, health, internal security, and the economy, among other areas.
He also believes that Nigerians must reset themselves as people, communal governments, and business institutions.
He stated that the establishment of new governments at both the federal and state levels provided an opportunity to reset the country for the benefit of Nigerians.
He stated that as part of JFCN’s benevolence, he visited the Karu Abuja Children’s Home and presented things to the orphanage during the Christmas season.
He added that the delegation also paid humanitarian visits to Mother Teresa’s children’s home in Gwarinpa, Abuja, and the refugee city of Durumi.
He stated that the club was to Government Secondary School Jabi to give a cheque for the school expenses of 20 poor students, among other acts of kindness.
Prof. Samuel Aghalino, the event’s chairman, stated that the event was academically oriented, with a focus on debates on how to bring the nation forward.
He stated that the country’s current structure was not ideal, and that development could not be led from the middle.
He stated that regions should be allowed to drive their own development at their own pace, and that Nigerians should contribute to nation building from all perspectives.
Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the guest speaker, praised the group for its constancy in activities from its establishment in 2013.
In Nigeria, he observed, there was an issue with diversity and diversity management.
He stated that the nation’s struggle has been counting and accounting issues, as well as the challenge of evolving the proper citizens.
We do not agree on what our national value should be; we must reset our values, like JFCN is doing as a group.
He stated that there was a need to start looking for Nigerians who were doing the right thing through social contact.
A panel debate on rebooting Nigeria was the event’s high point. (NAN
