As we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of our independence as a country we cannot ignore the crushing weight of our challenges as a country.
Understandably, there are a lot of complaining voices. And I’m speaking from experience, as a former political office holder now active on Facebook and Twitter, and often the object of a lot of anger and frustration.
When you’re a University student forced to sit at home for months, due to no fault of yours, I realize that it is difficult to understand why you should have any hope in your country. What you want to do is lash out at a system that keeps conspiring to let you down. That is understandable.
But I also firmly believe one thing: that what we shouldn’t ever do is allow our frustrations to blind us to the potential that exists for creatively solving our problems.
It is only a painstaking focus on solutions that can bring about the change we seek.
In August I launched an essay competition focusing on highlighting solutions to many of our educational challenges as a country. It was titled ‘More Learning to More People: How can Nigeria be more innovative in bridging its literacy and skills gap?’
Later this month a winner will emerge, and earn, for his or her efforts, a scholarship. By changing the course of a life, even a single scholarship can potentially alter the destiny of a country. But for me the real purpose and impact of this competition goes well beyond the impact of the scholarship that will be awarded.
For me it is about the tens, if not hundreds, of solutions that young Nigerians would have been inspired to come up with.
The beauty of generating and highlighting solutions to pressing problems is that these solutions then become available to anyone willing to consider and implement them, irrespective of political ideology or party affiliation.
There will be nothing that will make me happier than seeing governments, at local, state and federal levels, paying attention to the ideas and solutions put forward by the hundreds of young Nigerians who have taken their time to participate.
I have asked my office to ensure that as many ideas as possible are publicized widely, because I want it to be clear that everyone who has put forward an idea or solution is as much a winner as that one lucky scholarship recipient.
And education is only one area. Nigeria is full of issues crying for the impact of innovative solutions.
I have never been one to sit back and allow problems to overwhelm me, or to loom larger than solutions. During the early years of my Vice Presidency I visited Brazil and learnt of the interesting work being done there in public procurement reforms. I wasted no time making a recommendation to the President that we should replicate that in Nigeria. That was how the Public Procurement Act was born.
And then I came across the impressive ‘American University’ concept, already well established in other parts of the world. I didn’t think twice about transplanting it to Nigeria. It was important to me to prove that great ideas can flourish in Nigeria; that this country’s reputation for killing dreams is not some act of fate that cannot be challenged.
Thus was the American University of Nigeria born. Last year that University was acknowledged by Google as an African center of IT excellence, and is today engaged in active collaboration with the Internet company.
Change is possible in Nigeria. Ideas can survive and thrive here. But we must start by paying attention to them. Let us discuss them, tweet them, Facebook them, blog them.
On this 53rd Independence Anniversary, let us resolve, individually and collectively, to not allow ourselves become so obsessed with our problems that we overlook the smart thinking that will solve them.
Let us learn to give independence to our ideas and solutions.
Happy Independence Day.
Happy independence anniversary. The forces of darkness are always at play to deny the benefits of fertile minds like yours. You have contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria. Whether or not your ambition to become Nigeria’s President is realized, your name is already ingrained in many minds as a true patriot and remarkable leader.
May Allah grant you long life in perfect health.
Sir ur concern 4 youth and this country of ours is the main reason that gud citizens of this country like u and hope one day u will be their to rescue this country from the hands of enemies of democracy.SIR, ur write-up alwayz re-install hope and confidence in us that one day this country will be better.OUR HOPE AND PRAYER HERE is that:please do not relent in ur effort and struggle to put what is appropriate at its position.This country needs u so pls don’t leave in the hands of enemies.May God help u in this struggle…AMEEN!.
hahahah Atiku concern for youth today ,for 8 good yrs he was a vice president of fed rep of Nigeria he never talk about the youths does youths seating at home while they are to be studying in school started today in Nigeria?please atiku abubakar tell us what you have done for the yours for 8 yrs you were vice president ?
Amennnn!!! you have said it all… we all want TURAKI
Engr. Olatunde, you waste so much time and energy to make very senseless and biased point. Your claim that the far north has ruled for 38 years is very inaccurate. Yakubu Gowon had 10 of those years and we all know he is from your so called middle belt. So also is IBB from north central which is still part of middle belt, he held power for about eight years. Abdusalam did one year. So go and do your lopsided maths again even though it should not matter where the president comes from, as long as he or she has what it takes to move Nigeria ahead. So far, your hero has shown nothing but ‘cluelessness’.
ATIKU TO BECOME A PRESIDENT OF THIS COUNTRY? MAY BE NOT IN NIGERIA.
NIGERIA 53 years report card
Electricity…. ……….E8
Education…… …….E8
Prostitution… …….A1
Good Road……….. ..D7
Banking Sector……E8
Bombing…….. …….A1.
Creativity….. ………….D7
Telecommunication….E8
Security……. ………….F9
Corruption….. ……….A1
Cash Embezzlement.A1
Leadership….. ……….F9
Job opportunity………F9
I hate it when people bring God into our problems, we are the cause of our own problems and until we realise that and we start making the necessary effort, God will not come down and change that. I know things might seem easier from the outside compared to those that are up close but Mr Atiku with all due respect I still personally believe and feel that there is still more you can do. don’t wait till we make you president before you actually do something. If you really believe in the oat you took when we elected you as vice-president to represent the interest of Nigeria and put that first before your own personal interest this is a chance for you to step-up and prove it. happy independence day.
Words of wisdom sir.
Nice! Great moral busting piece from Mr @atiku.
To be candid, you have spoke well.
How I wish all well meaning Nigerians will disgest this message, with no stringe attached (Keep politics off, pls. Thanks)
“It is only a painstaking focus on solutions that can bring about the change we seek.” ~ Abubakar Atiku
our major problem has always been not recognizing and entrusting presidency with consistent leaders like Atiku…who has got the boldness and experience to do a great job in this nation.. long live TURAKI NIGERIA………………….
Dear Sir,
I think our no 1 problem is the hatred that the fathers have implanted in us. Starting from the killing of Tafawa Balewa to Ironsi. We need to eradicate this hatred. No 2 Education for our brothers in the north. Please use your influence to impact education. Once our brothers in the north are well educated, the impact of education will change many things.
Sir, is it true that you own a University? It is also true that you’re a chairman of one of Generator importer’s company? Which of our social benefits sold to you in the name of privatisation? Answer these 3 question sir.
Sir that’s a lovely piece. My prayer is all the contributions that wll be givin wll be used. Love leaders like U̶̲̥̅̊..
Good writeup . . Good Day Sir, please can you send me your email address. Need to mail a few key pieces of information. Thanks!
i ajomalowo joshua can also say it dat’s good to be loyal nd to let pple be benefit 4rm those who need this kind of help bcos,most pple were in ths country today dat dis’s kind of opportunity they can use to be bust them self up bcs of mny so keep it on sir god ll saconstancely rward u that’s what i can said about that
We always want TURAKI, long live TURAKI.