Initiate good policies to solve Nigeria's problems –FULafia Professor Jibrin Urges government

Jun 27, 2024 - 14:04

Initiate good policies to solve Nigeria's problems –FULafia Professor Jibrin Urges government

Professor Abdullahi Dan’Asabe Jibrin, a professor of political economy and development studies in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia),has urged governments to initiate good policies to move Nigeria forward "economically, socially and politically."

According to Prof. Jibrin, governments must, at all times, "conceive policies and programmes to accelerate economic development, saying that people should be involved in the conceptualisation and implementation of such programmes and policies.

Jibrin, the Dean of Faculty of the Social Sciences, FULafia, spoke while delivering the 17th professorial inaugural lecture of FULafia, recently.

Jibrin's inaugural lecture, titled: "State, Power Struggle and Paradox of Development in Nigeria," was held a the MIS Multi-purpose Hall, Permanent Site campus of the University.

He attributed the crisis of development in Nigeria to lack of commitment of governments’ officials to initiate and promote sustainable development policies .

Jibrin said: "There is a nexus between underdevelopment, development and poverty, which constitute the root cause of insecurity in the country."

He said that the widespread violence in the country was due to the failure of the governance processes in the Nigeria.

Jibrin said that his research has proven "sufficiently and demonstrated that the ruling class in Nigeria has exploited the country's resources without substantial and sustainable benefits for the people."

He said that his lecture had reinforced the fact that Nigeria is a class society, adding: "It has sufficiently demonstrated that the burden of the paradox of development lies with the poor, vulnerable and oppressed people of Nigeria."

Jibrin recommended that to reduce the attraction and influence of power, especially, politically, and for Nigeria to be on the path of stable peace and development, the need to make power less attractive cannot be overemphasised.

He recommended making the National Assembly to be on a part-time basis and remuneration of members based on the number of sittings they have in a month.

In addition, he said that "those occupying executive positions should also be made to be accountable and transparent in all their personal and official dealings with the citizens and an arrangement should be made which will reduce their access to the resources of the state."

He pointed out that "economic policies should be aimed to provide relief for the unemployable and the unemployed in the short term and create jobs in the long-term."

Jibrin agitated for the vigorous enforcement of anti-corruption laws and the existence of virile civil society organisations and patriotic media with a view to enthroning transparent and accountable governance in the country.

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Lafia, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, earlier in his address, congratulated A.D. Jibrin and his family, applauding him for his excellent performance in his duty as the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of FULafia.

Welcoming the participants to the occasion, Prof. Josephine Odey, the Chairperson of the Inaugural Lecture Committee, said that Jibrin's contributions to the body of knowledge has added value to the students of political science “and it will go along way to address the challenges of Nigeria's economic development.

The lecture was well attended by dignitaries including the emirs of Keffi, Nasarawa, Laminga, Ara and Osu Apawu, immediate past minister of environment, Muhammad H. Abdullahi, immediate past vice-chancellor of Nasarawa University, Keffi (NSUK), Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, NSUK, Prof. Theophilus Daniel Lagi, Registrar of NSUK, Bala Ahmed Rex II, Hon. Ogazi Daniel Ogah, General Nuhu A. Angbazo, heads of security agencies in the state, family, friends of the lecturer, staff of FULafia and students of the inaugural lecturer from across some universities in Nigeria.

The occasion climaxed with the presentation of certificate, plaque and gift to Prof. A.D. Jibrin by the vice-chancellor.