Nigeria’s problems can be traced back to the country’s mishandling of its diversity, and without equity, justice, and equality, there can be no stability in Nigeria or anywhere else. On Saturday, during the National Daily Award ceremony in Lagos, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s ex-president, decried that the poor choices made by earlier presidents were major contributors to Nigeria’s current problems. He reflected on how Nigeria was hailed as a “giant in the Sun” at the time of its entrance to the United Nations Organization and expressed regret that the nation had failed to live up to that reputation.
Chief Obasanjo said he learned through his years of mediation and conflict resolution that stability, security, and peace are necessary for progress. He continued, saying that development is impossible without stabilization, security, and peace and that, of course, performance cannot be achieved without progress. He stated that the purpose of the award was to inspire the people of Nigeria and demonstrate to them that, despite the current state of the nation, there are still some shining examples of brilliance that ought to be identified and cherished.
Success means leaving a place better than one found it.
He told the recipients of the awards that their definition of success is what really matters, and he defined success as leaving a place better than it was before. One must be unique and perform better than others to achieve excellence, but it is possible to accomplish so. Without contributing meaningfully to the world around them, their existence in Nigeria would be pointless. He also praised one of the awardees, Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, for his efforts in reducing crime and protecting citizens.
Furthermore, he said that the IGP, together with Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and the other 44 recipients, merited the honour for their outstanding achievements in their respective sectors. Having the IGP recognized as the National Daily Man of the Year was a testament to his success, he said. He encouraged him to keep going and do more. His profession is not one that is very glamorous and is not something that a lazy person would find simple to undertake.
The award serves as motivation for the police to do more.
In context, people go to the IGP when burglaries occur, they meet him to settle disputes with their neighbours, and he must be prepared to do so, regardless of whether or not they show gratitude. That’s why it’s so great that this kind of honour has singled him out. On his part, the IGP stated that the award served as motivation for him and his team to perform more acts of service for the nation. At the same time, he pledged to do more.
They have planned out a range of programmes for their officers and men, some of which include providing them with welfare, high-quality equipment, and a hygienic and welcoming atmosphere in which they may relax. The recognition will serve as motivation to achieve even better in the fight against insecurity. They have gone into private partnership schemes with business entities and some governments in order to provide suitable barracks for their officers and troops, free from pollution and other unfavorable conditions.
Standards barracks will be built across the nation.
Moreover, the goal is to ensure that all of their nation’s barracks are up to the standards expected by their men and officers, which means taking advantage of the best technology available. They will have excellent quarters once the barracks are finished. And even before the barracks are constructed, their officers will have a more suitable location to relocate to. After the barracks are constructed, the apartments will be returned to their rightful owners, and those that have nothing to do in the barracks will be evicted as soon as possible.
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