Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola says the absence of strong institutions, equity, justice, political will and fairness was responsible for Nigeria’s wobbled nationhood and democracy.
He said the country must find the courage to institute these virtues and values in its polity to build a strong, virile and prosperous nation desired by the citizens.
The governor said this at the June 12 Democracy Day Public Lecture organised by the Osun Civil Society Coalition and the State Government which held at Aurora Event Centre, Osogbo.
Oyetola said the time has come for the leaders to begin to look through the rear-view mirror to correct the anomalies in the journey so far by developing the political will to birth a nation and a democracy that will truly make Nigeria to occupy her place as the Giant of Africa.
He said the theme of the lecture, “The Making of a Nation and Nigerian Democracy in Progress: Issues and Prospects” remains an attempt at examining the nation’s missteps and milestones on the road to democracy and nation building, with a view to setting bricks for building the nation and democracy that the forebears envisioned.
Oyetola who described June 12 as a sad reminder of the nation’s missed opportunities on its journey to nationhood, democracy and good governance, said “the celebration of the day should provide the citizens with the opportunity to rethink and retool their nationhood and democracy to avoid a repeat of those sad days.”
He said the acknowledgment of June 12 as Democracy Day remains a tribute to courage, and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the recognition.
