Nigeria has the Resources to Grow, Tap the Human and Natural Resources Rightly–Arc. Emuan.

Arc Emuan

By OJIEVA EHIOSUN.

Architect (Dr) Austin Ilenre Emuan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party during the 2016 election in Edo State. He spoke with OJIEVA EHIOSUN on sundry issues.

Excerpts…

How would you rate the performance of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, now that it is a year since he came to power?

The journey so far with Obaseki had been smooth. His government is poised in the right direction and it is obvious that he is also defining the right paths that will gravitate Edo State towards the aspirations of our people. However, one year into the tenure of four years might be premature to judge him. My consolation is in the fact that Obaseki is capable of taking Edo further on the path of meaningful developments, from where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, his predecessor anchored it.
Obaseki hit the ground running, the gains of which are obvious in infrastructural and general economic development. I am not surprised Edo public have already nicknamed him as the ‘Wake and See Governor’ because one moment you see a dilapidated road or infrastructure only to wake up in the morning to see a brand new one in its place. This alacrity of dispatch is commendable.

More than two years into the APC’s tenure, do you agree that Nigerians are passing through hardship as against what they experienced in the past?

Amongst the most disciplined, overboard, selfless and well-meaning Nigerians, Buhari stands out as one of the first of the firsts. To be able to advance towards our destination and aspirational goals as Nigerians, we desperately needed a man like Buhari on the rostrum of governance.

Let’s not forget so soon that we were angry about the way our patrimony was recklessly managed and this, made us hungry for a solution; hence we all supported and voted massively for him.
He has since set out to do the needful which requires making painful structural changes that must be supported by us all through deliberate attitudinal change, for the benefit of us, all. Unfortunately, Nigerians don’t seem to be ready to bear pains and make sacrifices.

We like the Jews want to go back to Egypt amidst deliverance from slavery. The earlier we realized that no one can make omelets without breaking eggs, the better for us because we cannot build a foundational economy by living on rents like in the days gone by but only through productivity whilst building strong institutions. I think this is the first lesson that the “Change” philosophy of this administration stands for. Also, President Buhari’s saying that “the change we need begins with you and I” is an undisputed fact. He cannot do it alone. Let’s support him.

APC has presided over Nigeria in the past two and half years. How long should the people wait for dividends of democracy?

I am yet to see any true gains without pains. Show me any star and I will show you his or her scars of sacrifice. Nigerians should bear the pains of strong-nation building right now, if they cherish to live a future life full of bliss. No great nation today or before was built in a day.

Nigerians should be patient with President Buhari as his Change mantra and associated policies and programs when supported, would take the country out of the woods, and relaunch it on the narrow path of greatness.

Thank God; government and economic experts uphold that the tough realities of Nigeria’s economic recessions are now giving way to recovery and prosperity. Sure, Buhari loves Nigerians but will not compromise where bitter pills have to be taken to cure the root cause of our persistent and nagging ailments.

Buhari had been criticized for spending more time attending to his health overseas, than the needs of Nigerians. Isn’t that worrisome?

Buhari is human and being a leader does not preclude him from falling ill. Indeed, it was a tough period for Nigerians, But, he was ably and effectively represented by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Nigerians must however be commended on their prayers and support for Mr. President during the trying period. Now that he is back on his feet again, I implore Nigerians to rejoice and support him in rejigging our political economy so that our resources can be administered fairly to all in accordance to the will of God.

You make reference to God. Should Nigerians just fold their arms and leave everything to God.
Definitely, God rules in the affairs of men and nations. All the sacred books, uphold that God enjoins men and nations to help themselves, and that He would bless the good works of their hands. It will be foolhardy and stupid for anyone to think that all we see and feel in nature came by accident. They are the product of a mastermind. Call HIM God, Allah, Olorun or Osalobua etc.,

HE lives and that is why we can all exist and face tomorrow. Tai Solarin was a great Nigerian patriot, though unfortunately an atheist, believed that fairness to all was a universal law demanded of us by forces of nature. That Force is God! In the times of trials, God has been very helpful to Nigerians and their leaders, as indicated by Buhari’s recovery. No doubt, God received the supplications of all Nigerians and we have him back hale and hearty.

Don’t you share the views of some pundits who postulated that the country would break up?

I believe in God and His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ and I have seen God’s hands mold individuals and nations into wonderful shapes of profound purpose. Nigerians are very good people and deserve a leader who has the fear of God to lead them. One whose leadership is not self-serving but one that is able to see leadership as the moral image of law, the civic face of order and symbol of justice.

Buhari’s falls in lines of these qualities and they propel him to fight corruption with all zest and zeal. Do not mind those prophets of doom, who see nothing good about Africans and Nigerians. If their doomsday prophecy on Nigeria’s breakup in 2015 did not come to pass, it will never.

Buhari, as impeccable as he you are saying had been accused of condoning corruption. Isnt that true?

Now, if your reference is corruption allegations leveled against his former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and others like Maina very recently, have all been test of will and I think the president has done the needful with his decisive sack of the former SGF and others.
Nigeria is not a failing state, but a state in transition. My quest to know why nations fail challenged me, so much that I had to pursue a doctorate degree in the International Relations- Business-Major in one of the American Universities and I can tell you that nations fail when they have weak and extractive institutions. Before now, we were treading that path but not anymore with the APC led government under Buhari.

Are you not disturbed that the Avengers, the deadly Niger Delta militant group is again threatening to resume the bombing of oil installations in your region?

At this era, when the global oil price is appreciating, Nigeria could do a lot with oil proceeds to address many critical areas of intervention and needs towards making life meaningful for all Nigerians.

Again, now that the scourge of climate change is devastating the world, further bombings by the militants could further imperil the immediate environment, the people and livelihood of the Niger Delta.

The South-South Professionals that I belong are always opposed to such acts of aggression and sabotage as it breeds nothing but ills. Time has come for our people to embrace economic activism and advocate peacefully on how to positively transform our economic horizon rather than otherwise.
I humbly appeal to the militants to join hands with this government to create peace that we all know sets the right stage for meaningful economic development.

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has just marked his one year on throne. Being the sponsor of the Oba of Benin Green Award, what is your view on this occasion?

I am proud to be an Edo man, I am proud of our Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare n’ Ogidigan II, and as already expressed through key media pronouncements by me and my organisations, during his coronation and the most recent anniversary, I re-affirm that our Oba is very dynamic and disposed to serving his people to bequeath an ideal Edo; a legacy much better than the one he inherited.

Remarkably, with the social- cultural reforms he has embarked upon, he is already living up to his name of Oba Ewuare (the Great) Ogidigan II, with inherent potential of surpassing the solid transformation of his predecessors. Interestingly as always, the things of God are not mistaken, as they come in due time and season.

I think it is an act of God that Oba Ewuare II and Governor Obaseki have come at such a time, when the current Edo people, just like the old Bini era of Oba Ewuare n’ Ogidigan I, through cultural revival, re-established the kingdom to greater heights, in the then African and global arena.
With the symbiotic mix of combining traditional and governmental elements to re-invent the Edo people by the duo of our present Governor and Oba, Edo is set to see history repeat itself, but with higher intensity., I encourage all Edo people to support this great opportunity to advance our dear state.