The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Board, Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA), Ambassador Goodknows Igali, on Wednesday, says the choices and decisions taken by Nigerians in the forthcoming general elections would make or mar the steady evolution of the nation’s democracy.
Igali stated this in his welcome address at the ongoing 2022 Press Week Lecture/Award ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel holding at Casa De Pedro Hotel, Effurun, Delta State.
The former Nigerian ambassador to Norway, Sweden and Denmark, who is the chairman of the occasion, while welcoming dignitaries to the occasion, said that 2022 has a lot of significance and of special importance to the 2023 general election which he described as ‘a major watershed for the country’.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Federal Government to ensure better preparation for 2023 general election, saying, ‘the process of going through an election is like most other journeys in human existence and planning’.
Igali who is the current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), said, ‘There is need for proper planning, understanding the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and more importantly, proffering solutions to issues that present themselves in a timely manner.
“In the words of Prof. Claude Ake, lack of proper preparation is synonymous to embarking on a journey without a map. This means the outcome could be calamitous.
“Accordingly, the choices and decisions which we take in various sphere, particularly pertaining to politics and recruitment into governance will make or mar the steady evolution of our democracy and the overall nation building process which we are all critical stakeholders and committed to’, he said.
Dignitaries present at the event which is still ongoing including, immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and a former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe I, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM King Obukowho Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, the Rector of the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof. Emmanuel Ogujor among others.
