Quotes of the Day
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Here
in Nigeria we have People comprising more than
250 ethnic groups of many different races,
tribes and religion, with varying languages and
customs, creating a country of rich ethnic
diversity who are knit together to common
history, common interest and common ideas, the
things that unite us are stronger than the
things that divide us. I always remind people of
our firmly rooted policy of religious
tolerance. We have no intention of favouring
one religion, one tribe or one class at the
expense of another. Subject to the overriding
need to preserve justice, law and order, we
determine that everyone should have absolute
liberty to practice his belief and be free to
pursue his/her legitimate business according to
the dictates of his/her conscience…” -
Sir Ahmadu Bello
“…Nigeria has
now reached a critical stage in her history. We
must seize the opportunity which has been
offered to us to show that we can manage our own
affairs properly. Every Nigerian, whatever his
status, and whatever his religion, has his or
her share to contribute to this crucial task. I
appeal to all my countrymen and women to
cooperate with me and my colleagues to create a
better understanding among our peoples, to
establish mutual respect, and trust, among all
our tribal groups, and to unite in working
together for the common cause, the cause for
which no sacrifice will be too great”.
- Sir Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa (1957)
“The only thing we have to fear
is fear itself”
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, former
US President; First inaugural address, 4th March
1933 - (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945)
“Of all tyrannies in history, the
Bolshevik tyranny is the worst, the most
destructive and the most degrading.”
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer
Churchill, UK Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 -
(30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965)
It was Tommy Douglas of Canada who once said "My friends watch
out for the little fellow with an idea” and another
famous politician went on to say “the little fellow can
become a giant if he becomes fearless. Fearless to say
the truth, to lead, fearless to deal with lawlessness,
fearless to achieve consensus and take action, fearless
to bring all communities under one umbrella and fearless
to provide equal level playing field and opportunity for
all, where information, access and continued growth and
sustained economic prosperity is the key, where, then
followers become leaders and leaders become pioneers".
“… One of the best ways to
understand how the international economy works
is to start by looking at what happens inside
nations. If we want to understand differences in
national growth rates, a good place to start is
by examining differences in regional growth; if
we want to understand international
specialization, a good place to start is with
local specialization.”
- Paul Krugman (1991)
“We are aware that evolving
economic, political, technological and social
conditions in Nigeria and the World today offer
unprecedented opportunities as well as
significant, still insufficiently understood
threats to our communities. This uneven economic
landscape, demographic shifts, and unprecedented
challenges on the issues of poverty, security,
jobs, unity, development and restructuring beg
the need for
the country to take control of its economy
proactively; in a
non-partisan fashion”. -
Dr. Baba J Adamu,
2016
“Given the emergence of new regional dynamics
in development policy and practice, Arewa region
MUST fine-tune current regional development
perspectives and to develop new ones that are
not only more in sync with the present and
future global context but with the governance
systems being currently adopted that are
becoming more and more decentralized and
grassroots oriented. States Governors within the
Arewa region must come together to create and
adopt the Arewa Regional Economic Plan with
emphasis on a balanced approach to development
and opportunity for all irrespective of one’s
tribe, social class, religious belief and even
political affiliation; and establish targets for
economic growth of the entire region. The
economic plan should be built on current
regional opportunities, collaboration and
innovation linking States macroeconomic models
with regional development and economic plan
termed: Regional Econometric Model”…Dr Baba J
Adamu
October 13, 2004
A Plea
for Consideration: There
was a time, not too long ago in Nigeria
when despair
and hopelessness was
the bane of existence, a time when all problems
seemed to defy all solutions, and everything
seemed to head for collapse. Indeed, there was a
time, when as it appeared, like the historic
Israelites in the land of Egypt, or the idol
worshippers in the land of Makkah, the worst had
to be experienced before God would send a
messenger to take them to freedom. Even in those
simple days, there was obvious need for a
‘Miracle’ to come to the rescue. Now, new times
are setting in, Nigeria, and indeed the whole
worlds are getting even more complex, yet
smaller. There is an even greater demand for
leaders with greater courage, vision and
godliness to find solutions where non-seems to
exist. In the Nigerian situation, more than at
any time before, there is greater need for a
leadership with potentials
and capabilities to
channel the path of economic development and
provide the peace and stability required for
sustainable growth; a political platform with
leaders that are capable
of formulating workable economic policies that
can sustain high standards, and provide tools of
empowerment to the youth including women.
Nigerians need visionary leaders, New and
prosperous Nigeria – New Nigeria
October 24, 2003
MARSHAL LIKE PLAN FOR AFRICA
But we cannot
solve the urgent problems of poverty without a fourth step
-- a substantial increase in funds for development. An
investment fund of $50 billion per year that invites
applications for health, education, and anti-poverty work
will help build the capacity of the poorest countries for
sustainable development. In the future, no country genuinely
committed to open, corruption-free, pro-stability, and
pro-investment policies should be denied the chance to
progress because of the lack of basic investment in
education and health..
September 29, 2003
Nigeria must overcome its crisis and continue to
grow. First we have to reform the economic
system to increase its efficiency and
responsiveness. Second we must bring about an
internal adjustment, improving movement of
resources all over and particularly to the rural
areas to ensure the economic empowerment of the
rural populace including women, increase
domestic market competition and improve the
organization and the quality of investment
program in vital economical sectors in all part
of the country. Third there has to be
substantial external adjustment...
August 21, 2003
STATE & CIVIL SOCIETY
Government can act in partnership with agencies
in civil society to foster community renewal and
development. The economic basis of such
partnership is what is referred to as the new
mixed economy. Reform of the state and
government should be a basic orientating
principled of a third way politics - a process
of the deepening and widening of democracy with
values thus: Equality, Protection & Security,
Freedom as autonomy, No rights without
responsibility, No authority without democracy,
Cosmopolitan pluralism and philosophic
conservatism...
July 21, 2003
By
origin mankind were a single people or nation. That being
so, God could have kept us all alike, with one language, one
kind of disposition, and even one set of physical conditions
to live in. But in His wisdom, He gives us diversity in
these things, not only at any given time, but also in
different periods and ages. This tests our capacity for
unity and accentuates the need of unity and self esteem.
Since geography has made us neighbours, let freedom make us
friends and let us understand that the real issue now, then,
lies on the question of whether we can collectively make
sufficient unanimous, efficient declaration of unbreakable
unity, stand by our declaration, rally behind common goals
and understand our differences even during rough rides,
which surely will be the price to pay but so negligible will
they be compared to the surplus of economic and political
growth to come afterwards.
July 9, 2003
"In
Nigeria, where people live off politics and politicians and
where, despite the propaganda, there are no real Civil
Service but frozen-in "show me and I show you" and a few
trusted appointees, there is now more than ever a healthy
desire for a "more professional" administration again"
Let us
rally behind our leadership whose true commitment towards
lasting peace and economic progress is impeccable, let us
understand the government innovative consultation process
with a simple goal in mind: to let the citizens of this
great state guide its plans and priorities for the years
ahead. Let us support a government that is guided by
following the very simple, four-step formula that has guided
great leaders of the world. It will ask for citizens' input.
They will answer. It will listen. It will take action. Here
is a government that believes that this approach is the
heart of democracy and the soul of leadership. Only by
working together can we realize the benefits of our strong
economy, identify and invest in the priorities that matter
and realize the promise of our founding fathers. Nigeria has
always known about that promise. Let us work together to
feel and see the promise fulfilled.
July 12, 2003
"Tradition and nature are alike
in the sense that they take many decisions 'out of play'.
Activities and events are 'always done this way' or are
accepted as 'natural'. Once tradition and nature are
transformed, forward-looking decisions have to be taken, and
we have responsibility for their consequences. who should
bear responsibility for the future consequences of present
activities (whether of individuals, nation or other groups)
is one of the major concerns of the new politics, as is who
provides security if things go wrong, how and with what
resources.."
