Dr Tinuola Akinbolagbe, MD/CEO of Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), recently took the stage as a distinguished panelist at the World Future Health Africa (WFHA) 2024, held in partnership with African Business Coalition for Health (ABC Health). The event, an Institutional Partnership with KAOUN and the International arm of Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), was hosted under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and took place from 29th to 31st May 2024 at the GITEX Africa Center in Marrakech, Morocco.
The panel session, “Global Perspectives of Private Health in Africa: Improving Health Outcomes,” convened leading experts to discuss the private sector’s pivotal role in transforming healthcare across Africa. The attendees included government officials, business leaders, health experts, and investors.
The session was hosted by Dr Mories Atoki, CEO of ABC Health. Dr Akinbolagbe joined other notable panelists including Dr. Imane Kendili, President, African Global Health (AGH); Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, CEO, HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria and NIBUCAA (Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS); Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Nigeria Foundation; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation; Ibironke Akinmade, Group Head of Health Sector Finance, Sterling Bank; and Slava Sazhin, Founder, Doctoratwork.com
During the session, the panelists explored various strategies for leveraging private sector investments to enhance healthcare access and quality, especially in resource-constrained regions. They shared insights and opportunities for driving economic growth through improved healthcare provision.
Dr Akinbolagbe emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and innovative healthcare solutions to improve health outcomes.
“To fully harness the potential we’ve discussed today, we must collaborate directly with the private sector. In many low- and middle-income countries, funds are scarce, and bridging this gap requires private sector involvement. The private sector can provide technology, healthcare infrastructure, and expertise in supply chain management, including innovative financing solutions. My organisation, PSHAN, is pioneering the Adopt-A-Healthcare-Facility Programme (ADHFP), which unites private sector stakeholders to pool their resources and work closely with government agencies at all levels to deliver quality primary healthcare to Nigerians,” she stated.
The WFHA 2024 event also focused on catalysing partnerships and impact investments to bolster Africa’s healthcare systems. The discussions highlighted the significant contributions of the private sector in Africa, which accounts for approximately 60% of healthcare financing and 50% of total health expenditure on the continent. The panellists stressed the need for innovative approaches and best practices to address healthcare challenges and unlock the potential of private health investments.
Dr. Akinbolagbe’s participation at WFHA 2024 underscores PSHAN’s ongoing dedication to encouraging collaborative efforts that strengthen healthcare delivery and accessibility throughout Africa, especially for underserved communities. PSHAN is committed to mobilising private sector resources to support impactful health initiatives directly benefiting the nation.
‘Disclose details of SIECs’ members, LGA results’, or face legal action, SERAP tells 36 governors
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s 36 state governors “to promptly disclose details of chairmen and members of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in the states, including their qualifications and political affiliations, if any, and the mechanisms of their appointment.”
SERAP urged the governors “to provide to disclose the details of the results of local government elections conducted in their states since 1999, and the voters’ register for any such elections.”
SERAP also urged the governors “to clarify and explain how your states have complied with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international standards on the conduct of periodic local government elections in your states, including the details of any law regulating such elections in your states.”
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu had last week alleged that, “the conduct of local government elections in virtually all states has become mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties.”
In a Freedom of Information requests dated 1 June, 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “State governors have the constitutional responsibility to establish and allow independent electoral commissions to conduct local government elections fairly and impartially.”
SERAP said: “The reported interference by state governors in the operations of SIECs and apparent manipulation of local government elections are clearly incompatible with Nigerians’ right to effectively participate in their own government.”
According to SERAP, “Governors’ reported interference in the operations of SIECs and manipulation of local government elections have seriously undermined the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process and public trust and confidence in the process, as well as the integrity of the country’s democracy.”
The letters, read in part: “Local government elections in several states are susceptible to manipulation by governors. The appointment process of chairmen and members of SIECs and the operations of these commissions are shrouded in secrecy.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you, your states and SIECs to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
“State governors have also reportedly continued to undermine the enjoyment of people’s right to participate in their own government.”
“The combined effect of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, and the country’s international obligations is the requirement that local government elections must be organized by a truly independent and impartial electoral body.”
“Human rights treaties also require states parties including Nigeria to ensure the independence and impartiality of national electoral bodies responsible for the management of elections, as well as to promote the establishment of the necessary conditions to foster citizen participation.”
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities.”
“The crisis confronting Nigerian elections and lack of public trust and confidence in local government elections can be addressed only if the elections are conducted by independent and impartial state electoral commissions and in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution and international standards.”
“Confidence in the country’s electoral process is increasingly on the decline. Many Nigerians are expressing concerns about the credibility and integrity of local government elections in your states.”
“The major problem facing the country’s democracy is the lack of respect for Nigerians’ right to participation and the concomitant lack of trust in election results. If citizens do not believe in the election process, then the entire system of democratic government becomes a questionable enterprise.”
“As its name suggests, SIEC is expected to maintain independence or absolute neutrality. SIECs must not only be independent and impartial, but must also be seen to be independent and impartial.”
“However, the mere fact that SIEC has “independent” in its name does not in itself make it independent. What makes an institution truly independent and impartial are its attributes and characteristics, and the credibility and transparency of the appointment process.”
“Your states have a legal responsibility to promote and guarantee the integrity, credibility, and independence of SIECs, and to ensure that the electoral commissions are free from political and other interferences.”
“The credibility and legitimacy of elections depend in part on the integrity and competence of the body conducting the process, and the transparency of the appointment process for SIECs.”
“You have constitutional and international obligations to ensure the independence of SIEC and build the confidence of the electorate and political parties in local government elections, and to promote public confidence in the appointment of SIECs’ chairmen and members.”
“According to our information, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu recently stated that “the conduct of Local Government elections in virtually all the states has become mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties.”
“The 36 SIECs in the country are responsible for the election of 768 local government chairmen and 8,747 councillors totalling 9, 515 constituencies.”
“SERAP is concerned that SIECs lack the capacity and independence to effectively and efficiently perform their constitutional and statutory functions.”
“Many of the SIECs have no functional offices in the local government areas in their states and cannot recruit their own permanent staff. In some states, the SIECs are either not properly constituted, have no security of tenure or their critical functions have been taken over by government officials.”
“Some SIECs are only constituted on the eve of elections and dissolved thereafter. They are also severely under-resourced.”
“Section 197(1)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution provides for the establishment of State Independent Electoral Commission. 197(2) provides that ‘the composition and powers of each body established by subsection (1) of this section are as set out in Part II of the Third Schedule to this Constitution.’ According to section 198, states are to appoint chairman and members of SIECs.
“Section 200(1)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution provides that members of SIECs ‘shall not be a member of a political party.’ Section 202 provides for the independence of SIECs, and makes clear that the exercise of their powers “shall not be subject to the direction and control of any other authority or person.”
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
2/06/2024
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202
PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS NOW COMPETES WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES, SAYS SANWO-OLU’S AIDE
- Says Governor recorded remarkable achievements in five years
- _“We don’t make people homeless. We are here to serve the people of the state”
In its quest for growth and development in Lagos, as well as making life more comfortable for residents, Lagos State is now competing with countries in Africa and not states in Nigeria.
This was disclosed on Sunday during a live interview on the Breakfast Xtra programme on News Central Television by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile.
Akosile said that is due to the remarkable achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in many sectors in line with the THEMES+ developmental agenda, Lagos is now being compared with countries like Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa and others by many people in the areas of infrastructural development, social contract with the citizens and other dividends of democracy.
Speaking on Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government, Akosile said the incumbent administration has delivered laudable infrastructural projects and dividends of democracy to improve the standard of living of millions of Lagos residents in the last five years.
Akosile said the administration has records of key achievements in the areas of Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance, as well as ensuring inclusion in government, which are integral parts of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES+ developmental agenda.
He said, “Everything he (Governor Sanwo-Olu) has done is key and paramount to the living standard of Lagosians. All the areas that we have touched on in the last five years are key. Do you remember what COVID did to us in the world? Do you want to talk about how Mr. Governor tackled COVID head-on? How he rescued Nigeria and not just Lagos. In fact, he helped some neighbouring countries around us, like Ghana, Benin, and the rest of them, curtailed the spread of COVID-19 in the region. That is a monumental and huge achievement, and it shot us up in the global rankings.
“With other health initiatives of the Governor and the current administration, Lagos State is occupying an enviable space within the African rankings of the 10 best health facilities in Africa. What that tells us is that we are not competing with states in Nigeria; we are competing with countries in Africa.
“This is what a lot of people don’t take note of when they are comparing. They don’t compare Lagos with states; they compare Lagos with countries. They compare us with South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt, and those are countries. When people compare our rail projects, they compare us with Ethiopia, whereas Ethiopia is a sovereign country and Lagos is a state among 36 states. That shows that Lagos is not here to joke.”
Akosile said the Red and Blue rail lines inaugurated by Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration are a game changer, noting that the administration inherited the Blue line rail project, completed the first phase, and is currently working on the second phase. He said the Red Line Rail was also started and completed during the incumbent administration, making Lagos State the only sub-national to embark on a rail project in the African continent.
He said Governor Sanwo-Olu has also addressed the Apapa gridlock in fulfillment of his campaign promises to address the traffic problem, which has affected businesses for many years in the Apapa corridors, where the two busiest wharfs in Nigeria are located.
Speaking on the achievements of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in the housing sector and addressing environmental issues in Lagos State, Akosile said the incumbent administration has injected more housing units than any previous administrations in the state and also ensured sanity in the environment sector.
He said, “The Ministry of Environment is doing a lot. I was shocked to discover that people are living under the bridge like a residential apartment. We are doing a lot, and it is work in progress. The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has been doing a good job in the area of the environment. He has a background in law; he is a lawyer, and that is why nobody has been able to hold him by the jugular because he ensures that he follows due process.
“We don’t make people homeless. We are here to serve the people of the state. We have done a lot in the area of housing. In fact, without sounding immodest, the current administration has injected more housing units than any previous administration in Lagos State.”
He said the Sanwo-Olu administration is also working towards addressing the issue of streetlights and security challenges in the Church.
Akosile said Lagos has also been adjudged the safest state in Nigeria because of the huge investments of the incumbent administration in ensuring that the lives of Lagos residents and their properties are secured, adding that the Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch is also doing a lot in terms of gathering intelligence to address insecurity in the State.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
2 JUNE 2024
“EMBRACING THE FUTURE: NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY” BEING TEXT OF THE 27TH CONVOCATION LECTURE OF THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO, HELD ON TUESDAY 4TH OF JUNE 2024
Why should we be having a lecture as part of a convocation process when young graduates are focused only on one thing – collecting their certificates and going to celebrate with their colleagues, friends and families in a feast of deserved success?
Why should anybody be giving a lecture when people want to celebrate and party?
If you are thinking like that I understand and I associate with your thoughts. They were clearly my thoughts 37 years ago when I graduated in 1987. I was anxious to get out and take photographs and there were not enough photographers back then to go around thousands of graduands and the few that existed had been contracted to many of us.
Technology has changed now and I intend to say a word or two.
But who remembers what is said in graduation speeches?
I don’t remember who gave my graduation speech or what was said. The public address system on the day did not help. So, I would not be offended if you do not remember anything I say but perhaps you may remember what other people have said, and I will share some of that with you; because I have found them useful and I think you will too.
But before I do so, let me acknowledge the Visitor of the University, the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Pro-Chancellor, Sir David Sunmoni,’ the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello and the entire university for having me as convocation lecturer.
I feel truly honoured by the invitation and the relatively short notice could not stand in the way of the opportunity to interact with the next generation of Nigeria’s leaders. So, I am glad to be here.
It is a privilege to live the future, feel it before it manifests by connecting with those who will shape it on you.
To the parents and guardians and families of the graduands, my very hearty felicitations. Years of investment, suspense, anxiety have come to this crescendo. May your joy in the progress of your children and wards have no end.
The village that helped to birth the success of your wards and children was populated by employees of the LASU community, in the academic and non-academic realms. I join you in thanking them for moulding the teenagers you entrusted them with a few years ago into proud young adults.
To all graduands I say, wow. What a moment. You did it. Against the odds, the long days and nights, examinations, funding challenges and everything that could stand in the way, you were not to be deterred. You are not going to make excuses why you would not be here. You beat the odds, you met the goals, you made the cut, the school has certified that you have been found worthy in learning and in character. Congratulations!!
But then, after today’s excitement and celebrations, what next?
Where do you see yourself in the next 5,10, 15 or 20 years?
Have you thought about this. If you have, how far ahead are you thinking?
If you are stuck in celebrating one achievement, you may be creating obstacles to the next achievement. This in part is why I have chosen to speak about “Embracing the Future: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity.”
So let me go back to my promise to share with you some important things that other people said because you might not remember what I say.
Sometime in 1992, a football club manager disbanded his aging team of players and reconstituted it with very young largely, highly energetic, but inexperienced set of players.
The media was very critical and unsparing of his audacious decision. They criticised him in many reports, one of which remains evergreen today. It was titled, “you can’t win anything with kids.” Those young players went on to prove everybody except their manager wrong. They won the league that year against the odds.
The manager was to have the last say in response to the media statement that you cannot win anything with kids. He said, “You can’t win anything without them.”
That manager’s name was Sir Alex Ferguson, and his decision to trust in young talent became a cornerstone of Manchester United’s future successes, illustrating the importance of nurturing and believing in emerging talent.
Just as ‘Fergie’s Fledglings,’ as they were called, brought victory through their determination and hard work, our collective belief in new and innovative ideas will drive us towards greater success and innovation in our endeavours.
Let this serve as a reminder that fostering and investing in the potential of the next generation can lead to extraordinary achievements.
And by referring to the statement about winning with kids, I must not be mistaken to be referring to this assembly as kids and that is why I asked the question about what you plan to do in the next 5 – 20 years.
I recognise you as talented young people and the story is only relevant to portray the mistake in judgement that we sometimes make about the endless capacities of young people.
People who make these misjudgements conveniently forget that when it is time to go to war. Those who leaders put in harm’s way in times of war are majorly young people.
As I told a young mentee of mine recently as we were reviewing his plans for his future and where he would like to be in a few years’ time when he is 35 and he questioned whether he would not be too young to head a government parastatal.
My response was emphatic – if you’re old enough to go to war for Nigeria and give up your life to protect her, you cannot be too young to head one of her parastatals. If you are good enough, then you are old enough. That must be the principle.
But what will make you good enough?
Partly the education you have received here will take you someway on your journey but it will not be enough.
You will require many more things, including continuing education in the formal and informal way. Life becomes meaningless the day we stop learning. But over and beyond skills and education, you will require self-discipline.
This was the subject of the induction speech on the night I was called to the Nigerian bar in 1988 and I remember it till today. I considered it a priceless ally in my journey of life and I will pass it on to you.
Let me summarise the brilliant speech as follows: It recognised that we had become young adults. It urged us to take responsibility for ourselves and for others. Reminded us that all our lives we had been subject to discipline imposed by parents, guardians, lecturers etc., but that from that day on, we would have to find the hardest form of discipline – the self-imposed one.
I feel duty bound to pass on that message to you today.
Self-discipline will be the element that completes all the work your parents and guardians have done and what your lecturers have done. It will concretize your character and define your reputation. It will be the compass for your integrity. It will determine whether you are worthy of trust.
As you will find out, talent and education alone will not be enough on this exciting journey of life. Many talented people have failed or have been passed by because their attitude was bad; and people who are less educated, less talented or less skilled have excelled simply because of the right attitude.
Therefore, let me advise that you should not become an educated relic.
I implore you, after all the celebrations, to reflect and remember only this part; self-discipline. It will show you the way away from drugs, crime, belief in wealth without work and search for miracles of wealth. There are none. Only hard work provides sustainable wealth; not rituals, not fake pastors or imams and not trafficking illicit drugs.
You are graduating into a world of technology at a time when Talent is being rewarded at an unprecedented level. One generation ago, there was no internet as we know it today. Google Maps today was a story I read about in the Newsweek or Time magazine in my second or third year in university (1985 to 1986) about a plan to digitally map the surface of the Earth.
Today, I use the platform to find locations and it is now helping to predict travel time because something new has been added to it- artificial intelligence- based on extensive supercomputing powers.
That is the world that awaits you. A world where human beings have developed enormous machine learning capacities. Some things as you know it today will not exist in a few years’ time. Some jobs that you aspire to may be gone before you know it. Trust me, whatever the losses, the gains will surpass them.
Your world and the future it promises will be more exciting and more prosperous. The early foretaste of the impact of artificial intelligence is that it is positive for mankind. It portends for example, savings in energy consumption as a result of reduced time to get things done.
It is helping to discover new uses for existing drugs and may be the shortest route yet for us to respond to anti-microbial resistance. It is also offering increased diagnostic capacities for disease detection and may offer additional years and longevity to your generation.
Just recently new breakthroughs have been announced including the ability to move AI from the cloud and embed it inside processors installed in electronic devices.
This will vest enormous interactive powers in many electronic devices, increasing our interactions more with machines and potentially physically less with our ourselves.
But and this is a big but, humanity and human civilisation, and intrinsic values that have kept us at the apex of all things that exist on planet Earth must be preserved in spite of technology.
Our humanity encompasses many things that separates us from animals in the wild.
It includes mutual respect for one another, our ability to socialize, our choice of language, our ability to disagree and resolve conflict without violence.
All of these must be preserved because those who decide to attack one another, will ultimately destroy themselves.
I will conclude by urging you all to step forward today, embrace the future with your skills and self-discipline, embrace a season of technological marvel with respect for your fellow being and prepare for enormous possibilities of prosperity that will elevate the human race as a whole.
Thank you for listening.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN CON
A.“Embracing the Future – Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity,” Being Text of the 27th Convocation Lecture of Lagos State University, Ojo, held on Tuesday 4th of June 2024
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Tue, Jun 4 at 9:47 PM
Good evening Editor,
Kindly find attached and below the Speech on the theme, “Embracing the Future : Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity,” delivered by former Minister of Workers and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN as Convocation Lecturer at the 27th Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos on June 4th, 2024 for your attention.
Thank you.
HAKEEM BELLO
Special Adviser,
Communications
“EMBRACING THE FUTURE: NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY” BEING TEXT OF THE 27TH CONVOCATION LECTURE OF THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO, HELD ON TUESDAY 4TH OF JUNE 2024
Why should we be having a lecture as part of a convocation process when young graduates are focused only on one thing – collecting their certificates and going to celebrate with their colleagues, friends and families in a feast of deserved success?
Why should anybody be giving a lecture when people want to celebrate and party?
If you are thinking like that I understand and I associate with your thoughts. They were clearly my thoughts 37 years ago when I graduated in 1987. I was anxious to get out and take photographs and there were not enough photographers back then to go around thousands of graduands and the few that existed had been contracted to many of us.
Technology has changed now and I intend to say a word or two.
But who remembers what is said in graduation speeches?
I don’t remember who gave my graduation speech or what was said. The public address system on the day did not help. So, I would not be offended if you do not remember anything I say but perhaps you may remember what other people have said, and I will share some of that with you; because I have found them useful and I think you will too.
But before I do so, let me acknowledge the Visitor of the University, the Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Pro-Chancellor, Sir David Sunmoni,’ the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello and the entire university for having me as convocation lecturer.
I feel truly honoured by the invitation and the relatively short notice could not stand in the way of the opportunity to interact with the next generation of Nigeria’s leaders. So, I am glad to be here.
It is a privilege to live the future, feel it before it manifests by connecting with those who will shape it on you.
To the parents and guardians and families of the graduands, my very hearty felicitations. Years of investment, suspense, anxiety have come to this crescendo. May your joy in the progress of your children and wards have no end.
The village that helped to birth the success of your wards and children was populated by employees of the LASU community, in the academic and non-academic realms. I join you in thanking them for moulding the teenagers you entrusted them with a few years ago into proud young adults.
To all graduands I say, wow. What a moment. You did it. Against the odds, the long days and nights, examinations, funding challenges and everything that could stand in the way, you were not to be deterred. You are not going to make excuses why you would not be here. You beat the odds, you met the goals, you made the cut, the school has certified that you have been found worthy in learning and in character. Congratulations!!
But then, after today’s excitement and celebrations, what next?
Where do you see yourself in the next 5,10, 15 or 20 years?
Have you thought about this. If you have, how far ahead are you thinking?
If you are stuck in celebrating one achievement, you may be creating obstacles to the next achievement. This in part is why I have chosen to speak about “Embracing the Future: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity.”
So let me go back to my promise to share with you some important things that other people said because you might not remember what I say.
Sometime in 1992, a football club manager disbanded his aging team of players and reconstituted it with very young largely, highly energetic, but inexperienced set of players.
The media was very critical and unsparing of his audacious decision. They criticised him in many reports, one of which remains evergreen today. It was titled, “you can’t win anything with kids.” Those young players went on to prove everybody except their manager wrong. They won the league that year against the odds.
The manager was to have the last say in response to the media statement that you cannot win anything with kids. He said, “You can’t win anything without them.”
That manager’s name was Sir Alex Ferguson, and his decision to trust in young talent became a cornerstone of Manchester United’s future successes, illustrating the importance of nurturing and believing in emerging talent.
Just as ‘Fergie’s Fledglings,’ as they were called, brought victory through their determination and hard work, our collective belief in new and innovative ideas will drive us towards greater success and innovation in our endeavours.
Let this serve as a reminder that fostering and investing in the potential of the next generation can lead to extraordinary achievements.
And by referring to the statement about winning with kids, I must not be mistaken to be referring to this assembly as kids and that is why I asked the question about what you plan to do in the next 5 – 20 years.
I recognise you as talented young people and the story is only relevant to portray the mistake in judgement that we sometimes make about the endless capacities of young people.
People who make these misjudgements conveniently forget that when it is time to go to war. Those who leaders put in harm’s way in times of war are majorly young people.
As I told a young mentee of mine recently as we were reviewing his plans for his future and where he would like to be in a few years’ time when he is 35 and he questioned whether he would not be too young to head a government parastatal.
My response was emphatic – if you’re old enough to go to war for Nigeria and give up your life to protect her, you cannot be too young to head one of her parastatals. If you are good enough, then you are old enough. That must be the principle.
But what will make you good enough?
Partly the education you have received here will take you someway on your journey but it will not be enough.
You will require many more things, including continuing education in the formal and informal way. Life becomes meaningless the day we stop learning. But over and beyond skills and education, you will require self-discipline.
This was the subject of the induction speech on the night I was called to the Nigerian bar in 1988 and I remember it till today. I considered it a priceless ally in my journey of life and I will pass it on to you.
Let me summarise the brilliant speech as follows: It recognised that we had become young adults. It urged us to take responsibility for ourselves and for others. Reminded us that all our lives we had been subject to discipline imposed by parents, guardians, lecturers etc., but that from that day on, we would have to find the hardest form of discipline – the self-imposed one.
I feel duty bound to pass on that message to you today.
Self-discipline will be the element that completes all the work your parents and guardians have done and what your lecturers have done. It will concretize your character and define your reputation. It will be the compass for your integrity. It will determine whether you are worthy of trust.
As you will find out, talent and education alone will not be enough on this exciting journey of life. Many talented people have failed or have been passed by because their attitude was bad; and people who are less educated, less talented or less skilled have excelled simply because of the right attitude.
Therefore, let me advise that you should not become an educated relic.
I implore you, after all the celebrations, to reflect and remember only this part; self-discipline. It will show you the way away from drugs, crime, belief in wealth without work and search for miracles of wealth. There are none. Only hard work provides sustainable wealth; not rituals, not fake pastors or imams and not trafficking illicit drugs.
You are graduating into a world of technology at a time when Talent is being rewarded at an unprecedented level. One generation ago, there was no internet as we know it today. Google Maps today was a story I read about in the Newsweek or Time magazine in my second or third year in university (1985 to 1986) about a plan to digitally map the surface of the Earth.
Today, I use the platform to find locations and it is now helping to predict travel time because something new has been added to it- artificial intelligence- based on extensive supercomputing powers.
That is the world that awaits you. A world where human beings have developed enormous machine learning capacities. Some things as you know it today will not exist in a few years’ time. Some jobs that you aspire to may be gone before you know it. Trust me, whatever the losses, the gains will surpass them.
Your world and the future it promises will be more exciting and more prosperous. The early foretaste of the impact of artificial intelligence is that it is positive for mankind. It portends for example, savings in energy consumption as a result of reduced time to get things done.
It is helping to discover new uses for existing drugs and may be the shortest route yet for us to respond to anti-microbial resistance. It is also offering increased diagnostic capacities for disease detection and may offer additional years and longevity to your generation.
Just recently new breakthroughs have been announced including the ability to move AI from the cloud and embed it inside processors installed in electronic devices.
This will vest enormous interactive powers in many electronic devices, increasing our interactions more with machines and potentially physically less with our ourselves.
But and this is a big but, humanity and human civilisation, and intrinsic values that have kept us at the apex of all things that exist on planet Earth must be preserved in spite of technology.
Our humanity encompasses many things that separates us from animals in the wild.
It includes mutual respect for one another, our ability to socialize, our choice of language, our ability to disagree and resolve conflict without violence.
All of these must be preserved because those who decide to attack one another, will ultimately destroy themselves.
I will conclude by urging you all to step forward today, embrace the future with your skills and self-discipline, embrace a season of technological marvel with respect for your fellow being and prepare for enormous possibilities of prosperity that will elevate the human race as a whole.
Thank you for listening.
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN CON