It was a beehive of activities in the Capital city of Abuja, Nigeria where the FCT Chapter of the Peter Obi Harmonization Forum organized their Executive Committee Inauguration Summit which held on Saturday, 23rd November 2024 at the Nigerian National Merit Award, Maitama Abuja.
The convener of the event, who doubles as the chairman of the FCT Dr Kingsley Okoronkwo (PhD) could not hide his joy during his welcome address. He welcomed the mamot audience that graced the occassion, despite all odds. He was optimistic that the newly inaugurated Committee members will work in harmony, to ensure the overall goal is not defeated.
Mr Peter Obi, who was ably represented by Dr Moses Paul, thanked the organizers for a job well done. While reiterating his commitment to a new Nigeria that is built on selfless service, dedication and respect to the rule of law, Mr Obi was quick to caution that a Nigeria that works will not happen on a platter. Our collective efforts towards the Nigeria of our dream, remains undaunting. He assured the newly inaugurated Executive of his support, as he hopes to work with all support groups whose vision is geared towards a new Nigeria.
Furthermore, the Chairman of the occassion Sen Victor Lar represented by Barr. Dennis Habila Gapsiso informed the mamot audience of the Chairmans readiness to attend in person, but was not able to, due to a last minute emergency situation. He welcomed all stakeholders from across the FCT and the North central states who graced the occassion. He admonished the newly inaugurated Executive to see their position as an opportunity to serve, which is the hallmark of any leader. Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development if leaders are not accountable and diligent at their duty post, he said. He looks forward to working with the new Exco to foster a just course towards entrenching democratic norms amongst citizens of the country, he concluded.
Senator Ireti Kingigbe, who is the Guest of Honour at the epoch event gave thumps up to the organizers, who against the current economic hardship, dared the statusquo and organized an event that gives hope to the ordinary Nigerian. The Senator, who spoke through a one time Sentaorial Candidate in Edo state, Hon Chris Omofoma challenged participants to keep the fighting spirit until they win. Until Nigeria produces quality leaders, we should not rest. The onus lies on us to continue to profer solutions to our national challenges, or remain on the fence and continue to watch things deteriorate. The choice is ours to make, he concluded.
The main speaker of the occassion, Comrade Sunday Bala Oma, the CEO, Sunday Bala Oma Foundation delivered the paper titled: RE-IMAGING NIGERIA’S FUTURE, EXPLORING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES. He welcomed participants and delivered his speech in 14mins, with the entire audience, giving him a standing ovation for such power pact but brief presentation. Delivering his paper, Mr Oma categorized Nigerias image to the past and the present. He lamented that prior to 2014, the comparism of the economic growth has declined from a GDP of $574.18b in 2014 to $199.72b in 2024. A vast decline in our GDP growth from 6.16% in 2014 to 3.19% in 2024. Bala Oma further stressed that the current leaders manning the three arms of government have given Nigerians, reasons to doubt their sincerity of governing the country. Those who protested against subsidy in 2014 who are now in the helm of affairs, now want us to believe that there is subsidy which they have removed countless times, with no hope in sigh. Oma concluded that, if Nigeria will come out of the woods, the need to consider reimaging Nigeria’s future through innovative solutions is inevitable. Some of the solutions he proferred include; Trust must be established between the leaders and the led. The national Assembly should scrap one arm, and the only arm that should legislate, should do so on a part time basis. Other solutions include: devolution of powers, making inec and the local governments truly independent as well as diversification of the Nation’s vast resources that is yearning for exploitation and exploration across the Nation.
High point of the occassion saw His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, represented by Dr Moses Paul, inaugurate the newly elected Executives, cultural dance by the FCT cultural group, as well as goodwill messages from the National leadership of the Forum led by Hon Joseph Maigari amongst others.
