Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarms about Nigeria’s stagnation in growth and development, stating that the nation has not reached its potential.
While speaking at the 8th Brigadier General Michael Agu (rtd) annual distinguished lecture and awards ceremony at the Obasanjo Space Centre in Lugbe, Abuja, Obasanjo criticized the ineffective implementation of policies in the country.
“It is insufficient for leaders to merely create policies or issue statements. We have no shortage of policies in Nigeria. Sadly, the country has turned into a graveyard for policies that remain unimplemented or ignored,” Obasanjo remarked.
He underscored the necessity of taking concrete actions instead of making hollow promises. “Progress is achieved through decisive actions, not through mere aspirations. Those who succeed do not take two steps forward and then three steps back,” he lamented, pointing to the continual setbacks Nigeria faces across various sectors.
The former president expressed disappointment over the inconsistent approach that hampers the nation’s advancement. “As long as we persist in this manner, progress will continue to elude us. Let us focus on the initiatives we can manage; we cannot be a jack of all trades and master of none.”
Obasanjo also reminisced about the establishment of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) during his presidency. He mentioned that his administration had dispatched over 100 Nigerian engineers to China for specialized training, accompanied by a clear vision for the country’s space program.
According to him, the plan was to launch Nigeria’s first satellite in collaboration with China, followed by a second satellite with greater Nigerian participation, and ultimately, to develop a fully Nigerian-made satellite for space.
