Vice- President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for governments at all levels to lead the crusade for ethical revolution, to avoid Nigeria sliding to a failed country
Osinbajo who was speaking on Tuesday during a public lecture celebrating 100th Anniversary of
Baptist Boys' High School in Abeokuta, with the theme, "Values, The Difference Between Success and Failure", also called on Nigerian elites in politics, religion and business to support the crusade for ethical revolution for Nigeria to survive as a country
The Vice President advocated for a national consensus that would bring Nigerians together and agree that the country would fail if ethical revolution was not implemented, saying"it is what is taught that would shape the character of individuals and nations".
He suggested to government to lead the revolution for ethical standards in the country by rewarding ethical behaviour and ensuring speedy punishment for misconduct
Osinbajo charged the religious elite to reinforce the ethical direction agreed by showing that wealth and influence are built by hard work and diligence.
"There is a need for a national consensus or at least, an elite consensus, the political elite, the religious elite and the business elite must agree that our country will fail completely if we do not accept and implement ethical revolution,"he warned
" It is what is taught and learnt that shapes the character of individuals and nations, it is not just teaching, the government must also lead this ethical revolution by rewarding ethical behavior and ensuring speedy punishment for misconduct''.
" The religious elites must reinforce the ethical direction agreed by showing that wealth and influence are built by hard work and diligence and that the avoidance of gratification are not just by miracles, but must be able to demonstrate that it is not that wealth, good order, building institutions don't come as just miraculous occurrence, they come by building, hard work step by step, line by line.
"The religious elites must also reject and ostracize public officers and persons whose wealth cannot be explained, it is a dutiful thing indeed if the religious elite accept that public officers can give them money or can give them resources which of cause belong to the government and they look the other way.
"The religious elited must ensure that they are able to say no and this is all part of the national ethical consensus, as government does its own, as schools do their own, the religious elite must do their own," he said.
Osinbajo while noting that knowledge and skilld are the global currency of the 21st century economies, added that the man with knowledge and skill will definitely rule over the man with undeveloped talents and material resources.
The Vice President who also opined that the huge deposit of natural resources and human talents alone cannot ensure a prosperous nation, added that values are what distinguish successful economies from others.
" It is evident as we all know that huge deposits of natural deposit and human talents alone do not make for a prosperous nation, otherwise, the countries with the largest deposit of natural resources will be the most prosperous. Venezuela has one of the largest oil deposit in the world, but the United Nations estimate that 94% of the citizens are poor.
"It is obvious that while geography might even play an important part in the success of people and communities, these are not the defining features, what distinguishes people, setting them apart one from another.
"What distinguishes nations is not just talent or material resources, it is values. Everyone of the great and successful economies of the world share the same characteristics, they emphasised hard work and integrity," Osinbajo stated.
Osinbajo disclosed that the values that determine success include honesty, integrity and hard work".
"Values are ethical principles by which individuals and communities live, work and interact. Values include honesty, integrity, perseverance, hard work, diligence, discipline and respect.
"Values remain the difference between successful countries or failed or failing countries, it is the difference between success and failure," he said.
Osinbajo while noting that the success of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bola Ajibola and Chief MKO Abiola, who were all old students of the Baptist Boys High School wasn't built on talent or opportunity alone, but on hard work
He added that they all showed courage, integrity and fought for what they believed in.
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