Afrigather (Handle delivered at Dorchester Resort, Park Lane, London) On thirteenth January 2024.
Music intro:
i) Ara Edide Ebami Jo
ii) Ope Mi Koito
Once I arrived in London as a pupil sixty years in the past, there was no restrict concerning the professional aspirations of Nigeria and Nigerians. By frequent consent, our nation was destined for boundless “GDP” (Greatness, Growth and Prosperity).
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Instantly, a couple of days in the past, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s Nationwide Safety Adviser delivered a stringent verdict:
“Nigeria is broke. The treasury is empty”
It’s simply that we’re shocked to listen to from NSA Ribadu that Buhari left an empty treasury and ran the nation aground.
This morning on CNN, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message was much more damning.
President Bola Tinubu has inspired Nigerians within the U.S. to rise above failure by having a change of mindset for achievement in all their endeavours in life.
Tinubu who gave the recommendation on the Presidential City Corridor Assembly with Nigerians within the diaspora on Wednesday in New York famous that Nigerians had no cause to be poor.
The Information Company of Nigeria stories that the City Corridor Assembly was organised by the Nigerians within the Diaspora Fee on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN Basic Meeting.
“Nigeria has no cause to be poor. We now have huge assets and large potential.” He didn’t dwell on the legacy he inherited from Basic Muhammadu Buhari. Therefore, we’re compelled to pause and replicate on how we bought right here and the way we bought again on monitor. A dispassionate evaluation of our scenario is a compelling obligation. I’ve been practising as a chartered accountant for fifty-four years. Therefore, for me and my skilled colleagues, an annual stock-taking is a routine course of and repair dedication. Nonetheless, what we at the moment are confronted with is a backlog that stretches again sixty years—a bumpy trip of waywardness and missed alternatives.
Present scenario in Nigeria:
Regardless, we should stay optimistic. In any other case, what could be the purpose in celebrating my eightieth Birthday on planet Earth? I’m grateful to the vicar who reminded us that in response to the Holy Guide, 70 years is the reward for righteousness whereas 80 years is the prize for power. As for 90, it’s specifically reserved for stubbornness.
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It behoves us to pay tribute to the integrity and professionalism of the Nigerian Advertising Board which was primarily based in London on the time I arrived in 1964. The Managing Director, Mr. Eric Tansley was a person of remarkable character, honesty and self-discipline. Aside from being the custodian of Nigeria’s overseas foreign money, he was additionally answerable for Ghana’s Cocoa Advertising Board, and Sierra Leone’s Choice (Gold and Diamond) Belief as effectively Gambia’s Advertising (Groundnuts) Advertising Board. This was at a time when Ghana was the biggest producer of cocoa on the earth.
The London workplace of the Nigerian Advertising Board (NMB) was at 5 Buckingham Palace Gate, inside shouting distance of the residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Apart from, the NMB owned nineteen prime properties in one of the best places in London as residences for its Nigerian employees. The accounts of the board have been audited by Cassleton Elliot, Chartered Accountants (the predecessor agency of KPMG). The Secretary to the Board was Mr. Nathan Marsh (the daddy of Fela Nathan-Marsh, who was a pilot at Nigeria Airways). By the way, Mr. Marsh later grew to become the president of Metropolitan Membership Victoria and served from 1993 to 1997.
Below Mr. Eric Tansley, Alhaji Dan Fulani was answerable for the Northern Area (principally groundnuts); Mr. Oliyide was answerable for the Western Area (principally cocoa); and Mr. Mkparu was answerable for the Jap Area (principally palm oil and rubber from the Midwest).
These officers have been males of impeccable integrity. They took their cue from their chief, who was rewarded with a “KBE” (Knight of the British Empire) and have become Sir Eric Tansley. He was referred to as “Mr. Integrity.” Even manner again then, Sir Eric was answerable for ahead gross sales of cocoa, gold, palm oil, rubber, groundnuts, and so forth. on behalf of Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. He was very clear, in contrast to what presently prevails!! Alas, they don’t make them like that anymore.
Moreover, we had the West African Forex Board, which had a typical foreign money for Nigeria, Ghana [Gold Coast], Sierra Leone, and Gambia. It was on par with the British pound and was freely convertible.
Allow me to remind you of what you already know. The Almighty has intentionally demarcated our lives into 4 quarters. The primary twenty-five years are dedicated to studying and buying abilities. The following twenty-five years can be consumed by making use of our information and abilities. Thereafter, the third quarter needs to be dedicated to the general public good—paying again time to society. As for the final quarter, it’s primarily based on the chic grace of our Lord and Saviour.
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Allow us to all roll again the tape to October 1, 1960, when Nigeria grew to become an impartial nation. The Nigerian flag changed the British “Union Jack.” Past the symbolism, energy modified arms. We Nigerians have been now answerable for our personal future. The remainder of the world waited with a mix of exuberant hope and suppressed anxiousness as we reeled out the chapters of our new historical past e book and achievements of milestones. It was certainly a brand new daybreak as Chief Obafemi Awolowo took cost of the Western Area; Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe was the Premier of the Jap Area; and Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, bestrode the Northern Area because the Premier.
