By Kola Alhassan
Erstwhile President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta has admonished the nation’s leaders to listen to the complaints of marginalised and vulnerable citizens.
He also stressed the need for Nigerians to engage in sustained dialogue for progressive compromise, adding that it was crucial for good governance in the country.
Ramos-Horta gave the admonition on Tuesday during a book presentation on Zoom monitored by IkejaBird.
The book was written by a former retired United Nations official and Head of Chrisland University’s Departments of Political Science and International Relations, Prof. Babafemi Badejo.
It is entitled: “Nigerians’ views on national turmoil: A situational quadruple nexus analysis”.
Ramos-Horta noted that the Nigerian government and the people are a leading bunch on the African continent, who were capable of achieving steady progress and development.
“Nigerians must collectively work for the success of the country. Her leaders should also listen to the marginalised and vulnerable citizens,” he said.
The Nobel laureate noted that the book explained how Nigeria could leverage her significant progress in selected economic sectors like creative and tech industries to build on some major wins.
The lead discussants, Prof. Olawale Albert, Prof. Steven Commins, Prof. Adele Jinadu, Dr. Olubukola Adesina, Dr. Chukwuemeka Eze, and Dr. Temitope Bello, were unanimous in their submission on corruption as obstacle to national development.
They, however, said all nations face the same challenge in their attempt to develop.
The author, Badejo urged Nigerians to strive towards the attainment of Utopian freedom to access many opportunities in the country.
