Gowon’s 90th Anniversary’s Lecture And The Emergence Of a Campaign Manifesto

Gowon’s 90th Anniversary’s Lecture and the Emergence of a Campaign Manifesto

DBy Moh’d Betara Aliyu, Esq.

General Yakubu Gowon opened the series of activities celebrating his 90th birthday anniversary with a lecture delivered by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of African Development Bank.

In the paper, Dr. Adesina, clearly Nigeria’s most visible, if not most influential, developmental economist, lays out a comprehensive vision for Nigeria, addressing the country’s fundamental challenges – poverty, insecurity, food security, education, infrastructure, energy, ethics, etc.

These are critical developmental issues that should automatically resonate with the electorate, especially those most challenged in the country. His focus on transforming Nigeria into a “Global Nigeria” should echo the aspirations of the general populace, desiring progress, prosperity and global relevance.

2. To all intents and purposes, the thrust of the messages in the paper could well have formed a bedrock of a presidential campaign manifesto, as it reflects the core areas where urgent reform is needed.

By directly addressing these concerns, the paper positioned Dr. Adesina as the needed visionary leader who can rescue the nation from her current trajectory and lead her toward an era of renewed greatness. His optimism of a “Global Nigeria” is thus most reassuring!

3. Instructively, Dr. Adesina speaks to the heart of governance – proffering solutions to real problems like poverty, hunger, illiteracy, infrastructural and ethical deficits, lack of industrialization, etc. – which are areas where the current government is seen as underperforming!

This directly contrasts with the incumbent leadership, offering Nigerians a clear alternative – a leadership with detailed, actionable plans.

4. Also, delivering this paper at the 90th birthday anniversary of General Yakubu Gowon, a respected elder statesman, in the presence of top Nigerian elites, is itself instructive. In an event attended by former presidents, governors, legislators, traditional and religious leaders, military generals and other key stakeholders, many of whom hold significant influence over national political discourse, is a symbolic testament to the significance of the event, whether conscientiously or not.

And by delivering a policy-oriented and visionary speech in such a context, the Guest Speaker categorically aligns himself with the legacy of unity, nation-building and good governance that Gowon now represents; hence sending a signal that he is the candidate capable of reversing the decay fostering national unity and progress.

5. Moreover, by addressing the core issues plaguing Nigeria in front of such an elite audience, with a fashionable slogan of “Global Nigeria”, Adesina becomes the “thinking man’s candidate,” someone with both the intellectual capacity and international experience and contacts to handle Nigeria’s complex challenges.

This should rationally appeal to the political class, intellectual elites and middle class who are frustrated and even frightened with the status quo.

6. In the General Gowon event, the elders and senior stakeholders of the country have set the political stage, what is now to do is for the political elite to guide and sustain the momentum as a veritable campaign material. And to do so, it needs to continuously reiterate the core themes throughout the public domain.

By consistently referring to the statistics put in the paper, such as the 63% poverty rate or the $29 billion annual loss due to unreliable electricity, it can keep voters focused on the urgent need for change.

We could also build on the policy solutions he outlined, such as Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, investments in education and infrastructure, showing voters that he is not only diagnosing the country’s problems but also providing practical, well-thought-out solutions.

Also poignantly, the $100 million Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank to support the businesses of the youth in Nigeria approved by the AfDB put the Nigerian youths right in the centre of developmental scheme and growth.

7. It is therefore incumbent upon all patriotic Nigerians, particularly the Nigerian youth, to leverage on the social media, town halls and grassroots mobilization platforms to disseminate the key ideas of this paper widely, ensuring that its messages resonate with the everyday Nigerian who seeks leadership that addresses Nigeria’s realities.

Regularly highlighting the failures of the current administration in these areas, juxtaposed with the paper’s proposals, will create a strong contrast between the Guest Speaker and the incumbent in a fair and enlightened contest.

8. Dr. Adesina’s background as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and his previous role as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, also gives him substantial experience in high-level leadership, economic management and international development.

His actions, such as leading AfDB’s investments in Nigeria’s energy sector and agricultural value chains, not only speak to his commitment to develop the country but also address the areas of advantage of the various parts of Nigeria 🇳🇬. The comprehensive nature of the paper showcases his deep understanding of all parts of Nigeria’s most pressing issues and his capacity to lead a transformative change.

His emphasis on agriculture, industrialization and global competitiveness reflects an experienced leader with a global outlook, capable of positioning Nigeria to lead Africa’s economic renaissance.

9. Given Nigeria’s current state – rampant poverty, insecurity and decaying infrastructure – Adesina’s track record in successfully implementing reforms, like the e-wallet system for farmers, highlights his competence in executing practical solutions.

His wide network of international contacts also places him in a strong position to attract foreign investments and forge international partnerships that can aid Nigeria’s development.

In contrast to the incumbent’s perceived lack of vision or effective reforms, Adesina’s approach appears far more result-oriented and capable of driving the urgent change Nigerians desire.

10. The significance of the Gowon’s event and Adesina’s role in it, attended by Nigeria’s political and military elite figures, therefore, cannot be overstated.

General Gowon, a war hero and a symbol of national unity, lends credibility to the occasion; and Adesina delivering the keynote lecture and the responses to his performance symbolize implicit endorsement by these influential figures.

The presence of former presidents, military leaders and key stakeholders from across Nigeria’s ethnic and religious divide reinforces Adesina’s appeal as a unifying figure, capable of gaining support across Nigeria’s fault lines.

11. The content of the paper also highlights Adesina’s ability to bridge the gap between the North and South, Christians and Muslims, by addressing poverty in the North and Nigeria’s broader economic challenges.

His emphasis on education, youth employment and industrialization appeals to a diverse audience, including critical Northern elites, the educated middle class, the business community and to the mass unemployed.

The event, therefore, puts Adesina as the candidate for national unity, development and progress, aligning him with the legacy of Nigeria’s immediate post-independence era of unity, patriotism and nation-building.

12. In conclusion, the quality content of Dr. Adesina’s paper, passionately delivered in such a prestigious setting, serves both as a manifesto and campaign strategy for a potential presidential bid.

His knowledge, competence and experience, combined with a well-thought-out policy framework, place him as a credible challenger to the incumbent national leadership.

The lecture serves as a powerful endorsement of his capabilities by Nigeria’s highest elite for Nigeria’s presidency, signaling to the public that Adesina is a quality candidate who can deliver the urgent change Nigeria so direly needs.