A Vision for Nigeria’s Economic Future
Chief Bisi Akande, the pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) as a transformative plan to guide Nigeria into the economic realities of the 21st century. Akande, a former governor of Osun State, emphasized that the policy blueprint, if implemented effectively, could position Nigeria as a global economic force while creating opportunities for Nigerians to become leaders in their own right.
The lecture took place in Ado Ekiti on Friday during the maiden edition of the Joel Babatola Annual Lectures, organized by the Ekiti Council of Elders. The event was held in honor of the late Joel Babatola, who served as Parliamentary Secretary to the former Premier of Western Nigeria, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Babatola also held the position of Minister of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and was the first President of the Ekiti Council of Elders.
Akande highlighted the welfarist economy developed by Awolowo and his associates, including Babatola, which inspired patriotism among Yoruba youth and strengthened the loyalty of the Western Region to the Nigerian state. He argued that this model could be replicated nationwide through Tinubu’s RHA.
He stated, “Tinubu’s RHA is designed to lead Nigeria to self-sufficiency in food security, food production, food preservation, and food packaging within Nigeria by Nigerians, and that may also facilitate food surpluses and export promotions.”
Infrastructure Expansion and Human Capital Development
According to Akande, the agenda targets rapid infrastructure expansion, particularly in transportation and electricity, through collaboration between the private sector and different tiers of government. This initiative aims to support agricultural and industrial processing, as well as improve the movement of goods between urban and rural areas.
Additionally, Akande noted that Tinubu prioritizes the development of human capital, especially in science and technology, to equip young people with the skills needed to take advantage of employment opportunities expected from the full implementation of the RHA.
He further explained that the agenda focuses on “strengthening the Nigerian unity against the indigenous retrogressive saboteurs and the neo-colonialist grumblers; and extricating Nigerian resources from massive illegal foreign exploitations, perhaps and perhaps, at least pending the fury of the threatened invasion from the global powers and international municipalities.”
Honoring a Legacy
Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, the President of the Elders Council, said the lecture series was established in honor of Babatola “who gave so much to the Ekiti community and our Yoruba nation.” He added, “It is part of the council’s celebration of our heroes who had been favored by Olodumare to offer sterling and exemplary service to the nation or their various communities.”
Oluwasanmi, a nonagenarian, thanked the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for his interest; other royal figures; leaders of elders’ councils across the South-West; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, and his wife, Eyesorun Abosede Adejugbe; and Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, among others, for making the maiden lecture a success.
Celebrating Leadership and Values
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the annual lectures, Olufemi Adewumi, welcomed dignitaries and urged constant affirmation of the Omoluabi ethos through celebrating worthy heroes. Adewumi said, “The Yoruba nation was blessed by a team of Oòduà democratic patriots under the leadership of Chief Awolowo. The team showcased the extraordinary prospects of visionary and exemplary leadership which brought our nation into higher gear of literacy and other metrics of progress and development that signify modernity. Notably, Chief Babatola was a principal member of the team.”