Speaker, Kwara state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu on Monday, Chaired an International Conference organized by the Faculty of Management Sciences, Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, where he raised optimism that Nigeria have all it takes to be greater, if individuals and communities play their parts with patriotism.
The conference themed “Navigating Nigeria’s Economic Realities: Individuals and Society in Focus” was held at Moot Court of Al-Hikma University’s Atere campus.
Engr. Danladi-Salihu, who was represented by Hon. Seun Oguniyi who represents Ojomu/Balogun constituency at the State Assembly; in his opening speech, said although “there’s no gainsaying that our prevailing economic situation is harsh at individual levels, however, our present condition can be likened to a healing process that cannot come without pain, which governments at the state and federal levels are trying hard to make bearable, pending the no-distant time that we will continue to enjoy the fruition of our sacrifices.
“In a country as diverse and dynamic as Nigeria, the interplay between individuals and society holds the key to unlocking our economic potential. As we navigate through the complexities of our economic landscape, it is imperative that we understand the pivotal role that each one of us plays in shaping the future of our nation.”
Engr. Danladi-Salihu noted that “the removal of fuel subsidy – a decision backed by a consensus of virtually all Nigerian who believed the subsidy regime shortchanged the average Nigerian, hits hard. It is instructive to note that while government is trying it’s possible best to ameliorate the impacts, it’s unfortunate that individuals in our market place, filling stations, stores etc have actually made things more difficult economically, as they continue to cause artificial inflation and subject Nigerians to untold hardship.
“As government, we are not oblivious of these callous practices. Consequently, His Excellency, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq setup a task force to checkmate hoarding and arbitrary inflation of fuel pump price, while the Kwara state House of Assembly equally set up committee to checkmate the menace. We are glad that this is yielding results as things are beginning to return to normalcy”, he added.
“From the bustling streets of Lagos to the serene landscapes of the Niger Delta, our nation is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and aspirations. It is within this rich diversity that we find the strength to overcome obstacles and chart a course towards prosperity.
“Today, as scholars and thought leaders, it is a collective challenge and responsibility to explore innovative solutions, foster meaningful dialogue, and inspire actionable change that can be transformed into policies capable of impacting positively on the lives of our people, individually and collectively. It is my believe, that through research and collaboration, we can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
Speaker Danladi-Salihu urged participants at the event to actively challenge conventional wisdom, noting that government is open to unusual but practicable solutions that can enhance the economic well-being of the people.
The APC Speakers’ Forum Chairman was later honored by the academic gathering with an award of Excellence in Leadership, which was received on his behalf by his representative.