Surveyors, experts offer solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic woes

Just like the surveying profession, which requires careful planning and consultation, governing Nigeria requires foresight, effective and efficient planning and process, The Guardian reports.

According to The Guardian, this was the view of experts in the built environment, academics and related professional bodies at the 12th yearly Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture organised in honour of the late astute surveyor by Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Lagos.

Speaking on theme: “ Make Nigeria Great Again”, the experts lamented that the country has not been able to maximize its full potentials to the greatness of the citizens because of lack of planning.

The Guardian reports that the chairman of the event and Pro-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Adebayo Ninalowo, while setting the tone of the discussion at the event attended by various professional bodies,  lamented that though Nigeria Society is inherently great, it has failed to maximize its great potentials.

According to him, rather than the nation deploying her potentials for greatness, the reverse is the case leading to pauperization of the citizens and high level of criminality.

He identified the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) through the manipulation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international bodies leading to the devaluations of Naira as well as corruption as reasons the country tipped for greatness has remained at its present stage.

The University don called for devolution of power among the constituent units in the country, re-orientation of political values and the mindset of politicians to make them serve the people better.

He also solicited for a new regime of international relations on the basis of reciprocity to the benefits of Nigeria as wells as transparency and political accountability among leaders to make them answerable to the people.

Prof Ninalowo further solicited for the adjustment of incentive structure in the polity, which will ensure recognition, and protection of retirement rights and benefits as well as making the doctrine of separation of power operational in the country.

Expounding more on the topic, the guest lecturer and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Ituah Ighodalo traced Nigeria’s problems to the elevation of corruption to state policy during the military regime, saying corruption does not only take place in government but at religious organisations, private offices, schools and even our homes.

To make Nigeria great again, he said, Nigerians must henceforth determine government strategy and bring in a new visionary and purposeful leadership, saying that what we absolutely need is a leader who can impose discipline and eliminate corruption.

Source: The Guardian