Onu calls for change in country’s value system
NAN-H-99
System
By Bukola Adewumi/Joan Nwagwu
Abuja, March 6, 2017 (NAN) The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has called for a change in the country’s value system to enhance transparency, probity and accountability.
Onu made the call on Monday in Abuja at the 1st Annual Public Lecture and Book Presentation in honour of former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr James Ocholi (SAN).
Ocholi died in a road crash along Kaduna-Abuja expressway on March 6, 2916.
Ocholi’s wife (Blessing) and son (Joshua) were also killed in the crash when the tyre of their SUV car burst on their way to Abuja.
The 126-page book, `The Sudden Eclipse: Life and Times of Ocholi Enojo James, was written by Dr Dan Ogun.
The minister said that it was time the country retraced its steps by looking back to the past and begin to imbibe the value system of the past to improve the country.
“We have problems with our values, the values that make our country great in the past we have disregarded them and it is important we get them back.
“This is because Nigeria has a role to play in the history of the world.
“We have the largest concentration of black people in the world and this gives Nigeria a very unique position.
“Not only do we have that, we have the strongest economy in Africa and the largest market but the main fact that the rest of the black people of the world scattered in the world look up to us.
“It is therefore a strategic and important position so we need to bring back this value system,’’ he said.
He said that it was also important for the country to recognise great Nigerians who dedicate themselves to the service of their country in a selfless manner.
Mr Ayuba Wabba, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), described the late minister as an honest, diligent man who stood by the truth at all times.
“ One thing that stands out in the life and time of Ocholi despite the fact that he lives not very long life by our standard was that he excelled among his contemporaries and colleagues by virtue of integrity’’
He noted that the book, written in his honour, can serve as future reference material for generations to come, adding that his life is worthy of emulation by all.
According to him, the late minister in his short stay in the ministry was able to stabilise the crises within the health and oil sector.
He, therefore, urged political leaders to be accountable to the rule of law, saying the NLC would continue to contribute its quota to sustainable development in the country.
Ayuba, however, called on government to fill the vacuum created by the demise of the late Minister to carry on the good works he began.
“ It is clear that he had added value to government and there is need to fill the vacuum so as to complement the present Minster of Labour and Employment.
“We need this done urgently because the ministry is full of disputes that need urgent attention,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that five serving ministers, a representative of Kogi state governor and other dignitaries were present at the occasion. (NAN)
BOL/JAN/DO/AFA
Edited by David Onilede/Felix Ajide