Kogi: University don tasks govts to invest in iron, steel, petrochemicals to boost nation’s economy

By, Mark Akudu, Kogi

The Vice Chancellor, Prince Abubakar Audu University, (PAAU) Anyigba, Marietu Ohunene Tenuche has called on governments at all levels to invest in critical sectors, such as iron and steel and petrochemicals to boost the nation’s economy.

He further called on the government to ensure the structuring of the educational system to promote values of unity in diversity, oneness, and togetherness in Kogi State.

Tenuche made the call on Monday in Lokoja at the Nigeria Post Kogi at 33 lecture and awards 2024 with the topic, “unity in diversity, a requisite for peace, progress and prosperity in Kogi State”.

She admitted that Kogi State is one of the most culturally, ethnically and religious diverse States in the Country, adding that, diversity among the people can advance peace, progress and prosperity in the State.

On the challenges of unity in diversity in Kogi State, Prof. Tenuche, noted that “the diversity in Kogi State should ordinarily be a blessing and a source of pride, given the inherent immense opportunities, potentialities and benefits.

However, the diversity in Kogi State, as stated earlier, has often been exploited to create division and mutual mistrust among the people. This makes unity a necessity in the State.

“The challenges to unity among the diverse people of Kogi State cannot be divorced: from the history and realities of the Nigerian State. First, the nature of politics is characterised by the winner-takes-all-all syndrome. This development often leads to mobilising identity and

“Primordial cleavages during political and electoral competitions and exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to access state power and further group dominance, not minding the backlash effects on unity among the people.

“The zero-sum nature of politics encourages political corruption and misuse of state power to promote individual, community, ethnic and religious interests. So. politicians in power wrongly perceive access to power and government resources as an opportunity to steal for

themselves and ethnic groups.

“The privatisation and ethnicisation of politics and governance portends danger to unity among the people. This trend encourages unhealthy political rivalry that degenerates into mutual distrust, suspicion, and hate among the people.

“The nature of politics encourages denying and marginalising people equal access to socio-economic and political values and decision-making positions. This trend undermines and threatens the foundation of unity. The unequal distribution of public resources and infrastructures among the people breeds resentment, hate and anger from the perceived victims and underlines a decline in social trust.

“The nature of politics entrenches and elevates the culture and cycle of excluding people from access to socio-economic goods and political power. This dimension of politics has dire implications for the security of the Kogi State. In the words of former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello: Marginalisation and discrimination place victims at a fundamental disadvantage because they breed hopelessness.

” People who discover that there is a glass ceiling over their head due to the circumstances Of their birth, like place of origin, language and religion, tend not to put in their best effort. It is a sledgehammer which smashes their ability to aspire without limits. Such people also become angry with society, making them easy recruits for violent or even extremist ideologies, as we See in sections of our country today.

“Kogi State is an integral part of Nigeria and is affected by the political and economic policies of the national government.

“The appointment of Prince Shaibu Audu Abubakar as Honourable Minister of Steel Development is a welcome development. Kogi State will be counting on him to work assiduously to turn around the fortunes of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“It is on record that as Minister of Steel Development, Kogi State-born, Ali Mammans Makele worked hard, with the immense support of former President Shehu Aliyu Shagari, to develop the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“There is a need for concerted efforts and investment to revive the steel sector in Nigeria. The presence of a vibrant steel and petrochemical sector in Nigeria will stimulate innovation and the integration of science and technology into the entire development process.

” This development is crucial to enhancing skill acquisition and providing employment opportunities in several sectors of the economy for the teeming youth population” she added.