Pioneer chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Pascal Dozie, in a keynote address entitled: ‘The Nigeria we Need,’ said in a plural, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic Nigeria, if the state (nation-state and its federating units) act in a way that promotes any religious above others, that would be sowing seeds of discord.
“This deters cohesion, progress and development,” he stated.
Mr Dozie said the use of public funds to sponsor persons on religious events, to build places of worship and the like, contradicts the secular nature of Nigeria as agreed by the founding fathers at independence. “Ours is a secular state – and must be seen to be so – in normative, positive and practical terms,” he added.
The former NESG chairman said Nigeria must strive to shape legislative lists and powers to make laws – such as to have relevant tiers of government to be responsible for those issues that are best suited for.
Former president of the Nigeran Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, said power is the first thing that should be dealt with in repositing the Nigerian economy besides security. He said if elected as Nigerian president and “I’m not able to deal with the issue of power, shut me out.”
Dozie said Nigeria’s economy is one that urgently needs a positive regulatory environment that is private sector and business enhancing. “It therefore behooves on governments (FGN, states, LGAs) to de-personalise institutions by leveling the playing field and making it attractive to investments, both local and foreign,” he stated.