Femi Falana, a human rights activist, has urged professional organizations to mobilize their members to obtain permanent voter identification cards and use their sizable populations to elect the proper leaders who will lead Nigeria to its promised land.
Falana made this statement at the 14th Annual Distinguished Lecture sponsored by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), which took place recently in Lagos and was held at Muson Center.
The conference, titled “Professionals in Partisan Politics: Appraising their Roles in Envisioning Economic Growth and Development of Nigeria,” drew young people from all around the nation as well as professionals, lawyers, and government leaders.
He said that in order for Nigeria to produce a new generation of leaders with a track record of probity, integrity, and accountability, professionals must register to vote in the general election the following year instead of remaining distant.
He stated that given the current state of Nigeria, it is imperative that professionals band together to seize control of the government from corrupt and self-centered moneybag politicians.
He emphasized that because young people are interested in creating a new Nigeria, experts should learn from the imaginative ways that young people are organizing themselves to apply for their permanent voter’s cards.
Sir Herbert Macaulay, a leading nationalist in the fight for Nigeria’s independence, was a quantity surveyor, he said, adding that many professionals still have a casual attitude toward Nigerian politics and government.
Falana asserted that we cannot let charlatans who are not answerable to anyone for their performance in public office handle politics.
He continued by pleading with the institute to establish a disciplinary committee that would oversee the work of members holding public office and hold them accountable for their performance.
He stated that in order for our nation to advance, organizations like NISQ should notify the anti-graft agencies of any members who violate their responsibility.
Falana stressed that professionals should start taking responsibility for their role in corrupt activities because there are no successful cases of corruption in public or private settings without their input.
In his remarks, QS Olayemi Shonubi, President of the NIQS, urged members to keep advancing honesty and accountability in both the public and private sectors.
He made the point that all of us must contribute to the responsibility of creating our country. Let’s rebuild the basis of integrity and honesty, which are surefire ways to succeed.
Professionals, according to him, need to reawaken their sense of patriotism and struggle to restore Nigeria’s greatness.
