Nigeria has human resources to build enduring nation –Aboyeji

The General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has said Nigeria possesses the human resources and potential needed to build a prosperous and enduring nation.

Aboyeji made the assertion at the 13th Annual Public Lecture organised by the church in Lagos.

Themed, “Building to Last: Faith, Infrastructure and the Future of the Nation,” he said Nigeria was endowed with enormous potential, abundant human resources, an entrepreneurial spirit, a large population and opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

According to him, the ability of the country to convert these resources into lasting prosperity would depend not only on the quality of its physical infrastructure but also on the strength of its institutions, values and leadership.

He said the annual public lecture was important because it provided a platform for Nigerians to discuss issues capable of shaping the nation and influencing different aspects of national life.

He said the church considered the lecture part of its responsibility to contribute to Nigeria’s progress and prosperity, noting that the church had a presence across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The cleric said the church had consistently provided a platform for discussions on governance, national development and issues capable of promoting transformation.

He noted that over the years, the lecture had featured eminent personalities, scholars, technocrats, political leaders and religious figures, whose contributions had helped deepen public understanding of nation-building.

According to him, this year’s theme was particularly significant because while the country needed to build schools, hospitals, railways and other physical infrastructure, sustainable national development required more than physical structures.

He said lasting development must also be built around people and institutions anchored on values, vision, competence, integrity and faith in a better future.

Aboyeji expressed confidence in the younger generation, stressing the importance of preparing competent people to sustain the gains of nation-building.

“Success without a successor is failure,” he said, emphasising the need for leaders to invest in and empower the next generation.

He expressed optimism that the lecture would provide useful insights and stimulate thought-provoking discussions capable of contributing to solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges.

He urged Nigerians, particularly leaders, to recognise the country’s vast human and material resources and harness them responsibly for sustainable national development.