Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerian business moguls, Aliko Dangote, and Femi Otedola, have been urged to join 2023 presidential race by northern youths under the aegis of the Arewa Youth Assembly.
The group also listed other successful entrepreneurs in various sectors of the private economy in the country to join the race.
In a statement by Mohammed Salihu Danlami, and Desmond Minakaro, its Speaker and National Clerk respectively, the group said:
“A country like Nigeria that has great and intelligent minds with positive reputations all over the world, the likes of Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Mr Bode Augusto, Mr Segun Agbaje, Mr Fola Adeola, Alhaji Tunde Folawiyo, Mr Atedo Peterside, Mr Kola Adesina, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr Femi Otedola, Mr Mike Adenuga, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, Mr Herbert Wigwe and Mr Aig Imoukhuede who are boardroom Czars with a vast wealth of knowledge on entrepreneurship, why let Nigeria be run by others who lack such knowledge.
“An entrepreneur that can grow wealth, bear risk in such conditions found in Nigeria surely is suited to better the fortunes too of the nation.”
According to the group, Nigeria will flourish under such a person, our economy will grow as he or she is already an employer of labour, and will create employment on a level playing ground for businesses to grow.
The statement read partly, “It is the norm, just a few months to the general elections on which the faith of producing the next president, and of course another set of new leaders is placed upon us, the drums of campaigns shall be beating to make the biggest music. Another election season and the whole country turns into an atmosphere of advertisement for different candidates from different political parties.
“Fellow compatriots, for a better choice of a new leader, we need to trace back and understand our root as a country in order to avoid repeating mistakes made in the past.
“At the point of exit for the colonial masters, the sovereign entity known as Nigeria was placed into the hands of our founding fathers. The very hard-working civilians who fought to globally move the country forward, having it placed in organisations like the Commonwealth. A few years later, these founding fathers were ousted in a bloody military coup that caused the lives of so many, including some of the founding fathers on the bases of corruption, inequality in distribution of resources, and suffering of the masses. The military had their run, from one coup to another, but the status quo never got better.
“The Shehu Shagari’s administration was a civilian regime that came in between military coups, probably the reason why he was himself thrown out of office by the same officers on similar accounts of corruption and suffering of the masses.
“After the death of the former head of state Gen. Sani Abacha, we finally had the most peaceful transition of power that saw the return of democracy led by Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, a transition that will turn out to be Nigeria’s longest shot at democracy to date since its independence.
“It was expected that things will get better, Nigeria was set to thrive on a peaceful ground, a safe breathing atmosphere with a lot of opportunities, promises and hopes for not only it’s masses but those of other African countries.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria is still enslaved in the shackles of corruption, poor living conditions for its masses, even faced with new set of challenges that were not found previously. What could be the problem? What have we done? Where have we gotten it wrong? or are we just cursed like many Nigerians insinuate?
“None of these things are true or even real. The truth of the matter is we lack in our previous leaders is a very important element that is key to the success of individuals amounting all together to the success of any nation that is keen to succeed which is ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
“Marrying leadership with entrepreneurship has been established as idiosyncratic, thus laying a solid foundation of competency, vision, skills for firm and effective leadership. The knowledge and experience an entrepreneur acquires from business exposes him to noting how government affects the private sector, which is the power source of economic growth that propels improvements in living standards of citizens.”
