The Lagos State University, Ojo, has said good values will aid stability in society.
This was explained on Monday by the renowned historian, Prof. Toyin Falola while delivering the 2023 Annual LASU Faculty of Arts Lecture, titled, ‘Beyond sectarianism: Harnessing the socio-religious and political values for a greater Nigeria.’
Falola in his lecture titled, ‘Values and reformative leadership,’ emphasised that Africa was a continent rooted in values that could ignite a revitalisation across the entire continent.
He said, “For us as a country, we have a good demography, population, and a great bank of knowledge but the problem has always been how to maximise these to our advantages.
“In this paper, I will be making a claim for reformative leadership. We have a few categories of people who make or mar our values in Nigeria. We have the oselu, these are people who manage resources for the public good but now, the name is used for a bad cause. There are oselu in every group but with the bad reputation attached to the name now, it only means they have broken the value system.
The Ojelu are not interested in saving you and me. They are now interested in pocketing the money that’s meant for you and me. As our resources decline, they want to steal more in an extravagant manner; Odalu; this category will stop at nothing to exchange the society, and Teminikan, these are very selfish and greedy people.
“Society either flourishes or crumbles in the hands of these set.
“If we go on to create the Oduduwa Republic and we don’t protect the value, it will all end in shambles. If we can’t restructure value, you can’t restructure the politics. “
He advised “Don’t abuse people for having bad values while you also go about with the bad values. Try your best to sponsor a new vision into society.”
The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who was represented by the Deputy VC, Administration, Prof. Adenike Boyo, said, “Nigeria is the giant of Africa, a land with enormous resources. We should put Nigeria first. Whether Christian or Muslim because in our differences lies our greatness.”
Former Vice-Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, Rt. Rev. Distinguished Prof. Dapo Asaju, told the audience that Falola’s lecture was golden. He advised that religion should be used to develop moral values and good leadership.
Also, former Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo, Prof. Amidu Sanni, encouraged the students to imbibe the culture of responsibility and respect for elders and constituted authorities.
While giving the vote of thanks, Prof. Adeleke Fakoya suggested that Toyin Falola Studies should be instituted in the Faculty of Arts.
