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By Johnson Adebowale
Founder of Chief Emeka Agba Foundation, Emeka Agba, has attributed the challenges facing Nigeria and the nation’s ongoing struggles to leadership failure.
He, therefore, called for a renewed focus on empowering Nigerian expertise and minimising foreign influence in national projects.
Agba, who stated this at a recent press conference in Lagos, highlighted the serious economic difficulties, including hunger, food shortages, security threats, climate change, and kidnappings. “These are not the best of times for Nigerians. It is sad people are no longer able to afford three-square meals a day, just as our hospitals continue to record high rates of death from treatable and preventable illnesses.”
He urged leaders to prioritise local content across all sectors, advocating a self-reliant approach to development.
“We need strong leadership that values local content and prioritises Nigerian expertise in all sectors of the economy. Our projects should be led by Nigerians to enable self-reliance and development. The influence of foreign entities over our projects must be minimised,” he said.
Agba criticised the dependence on foreign validation and called for national pride in Nigeria’s capabilities.
“Our leaders should have pride in our nation’s capabilities and should not be dependent on foreign validations, such as making speeches at Chatham House. True leadership means believing in our own potential and leading with confidence and self-respect,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of critically examining the role of foreign missions and religious leaders in shaping Nigeria’s national narrative, saying: “We must also scrutinise the role of foreign missions and religious leaders in shaping our national narrative.” He urged Nigerians to take ownership of their future.
Despite the challenges, Agba expressed optimism and a commitment to supporting the vulnerable through his foundation.
“My foundation and other non-governmental organisations will continue to cater for the vulnerable in society. There is a rise in cases of the less privileged, as it looks like people now suffer from one level of vulnerability to another. It is, indeed, a sad situation.”
Agba foundation has been active in providing aid and resources to those in need, working tirelessly to address the growing issues faced by the underprivileged.
Agba reaffirmed his dedication to creating positive change and building a stronger, more self-reliant Nigeria.
“Together, we can build a stronger, more self-reliant Nigeria,” he said, calling on Nigerians to join him in this mission.
Agba’s message resonates with many who believe in the potential of Nigerian leadership to transform the nation by investing in local talent and resources. His vision for a future driven by Nigerian ingenuity and leadership continues to inspire action and dialogue across the country.
