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By Oluseye Ojo
Two former ministers, Labaran Maku and Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, have said Nigeria has the potential to overtake China and Europe because the most populous country in Africa has yet-to-be unlocked greatness embedded in it.
The duo spoke separately at the valedictory service and dedication of Oba David Opeyemi Adeyeye Hall of Crown Heights College, Arulogun Road, Ojoo area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Nigerian youths, especially students, according to them, should be inspired to reimagine the future of Nigeria and Africa towards embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.
The special guest of honour at the event, Senator Adeyeye, who is a former Minister of Works and the current Chairman of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), echoed Maku’s sentiments, urging the students to remain focused and dedicated to their goals.
“You need to remain focused to be relevant. Do your best and you will be successful in life; focus not on the degree alone, but add self-development to it,” Adeyeye stated.
The proprietor of Crown Heights College, Prince Gbadebo Adeyeye, expressed his pride in the graduating students and thanked their parents and guardians for investing in their future.
Maku, a former Minister of Information and National Orientation, who was the guest speaker, spoke on the theme: ‘The Great Future, Do Not be Afraid, Only Believe’, noted that it is better to engage the future than addressing political rallies. He emphasised the importance of Nigerian students tackling the challenges facing the country head-on.
Drawing a parallel to China’s rise to global prominence, the former minister drew attention to the impact of visionary leadership and determination.
“We can still overtake China and Europe. In 1978, China was not reckoned with in the world. One person sat down to engender the vision that made China number two in the world. Some years back, Indians came here to work. But now India has already gone to the moon. It is possible to conquer the world,” he noted.
