Anya Harps On Merit, Strong Institutions

Panel Wants Govt To Jettison Federal Character, Quota System
THE Centre For Value In Leadership (CVL), Lagos, in its 31st Leadership Tribute Colloquium, held during the week, honoured Prof. Anya O. Anya, the former president of Nigeria Academy of Science and Pro Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

Discussing the topic, Creating An Enabling Environment For Private Sector Led Growth: Education, Institutions And Destruction, the panelists agreed that leaders should revisit the school system, deemphasize the use of Federal Character and quota system to get anything from government and also to reward people that have done well in the country.

Prof. Pat Utomi, founder, CVL, moderating the panel made up of Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, Nigerian Economics Summit Group (NESG); Akin Kekere-Ekun, Executive Chairman, KPH Consulting Ltd; Chief Lawson Omokhodion, Chairman/CEO, Ritsoil Petroleum and Gas Ltd; and Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, agreed that no nation can develop on weak institutions, infrastructure, poor research culture and gross disregards to merit.

Prof Anya, who recently turned 79, speaking on some of the challenges facing the country, said how robust our institutions are would determine our level of progress as a nation.

“Institutions are instrument that can move one generation to another level of sustainably. So, if you get it right, it will not only underline what values are important in the society, but also would drive the institution itself; so it is vital.