Political restructuring, respect for merit, and patience are the three fundamental catalysts that could catapult Nigeria to more desirable heights within the next seven to 10 years, according to Lamido Sanusi, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and immediate past Emir of Kano.
Speaking as a panellist at a webinar on Friday themed ‘The sustainability of society’ organised by the Emmanuel Chapel, Sanusi noted that political restructuring, especially the amendment of the constitution, to reduce the cost of governance is very important.
“The second thing which is important to me is that we must respect merit,” Sanusi said. “People need to be taught that wherever they are they can get a job based on merit, not from where you are from.”
The former Emir said so long as Nigeria doesn’t appoint its best to the job and hold them accountable, the country will not see the progress it desires.
“The third important thing is patience, especially for those outside the government to understand what the challenges are and try to put in contributions that will help them to manage those challenges but we also need a long-term fuel,” he said.
Amina Mohammed, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, said strengthening the Nigerian healthcare system is very important and human resources and capacity in the sector should not be neglected.
“The health system does not just run on resources that you provide it but runs on human resources that you put into it and its leadership depends on the response that you need in the country to its own health profile,” she said.
Mohammed pointed out that current challenges in the sector are borne out of decades of insufficient resources in the system where population and poverty rate are increasing.
She pointed out the need for critical and decisive steps to be taken to address the challenges of healthcare and education in the country, as well as and issues around poverty.
The United Nations deputy secretary-general advised a holistic solution across the three tiers (primary, secondary and tertiary) of the health system.
She said it is really important that at the basic system, where the people are, that the primary healthcare system is put to work so that the country does not end up with issues in a secondary referral and the tertiary level.
The webinar was moderated by Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) and Tariye Gbadegesin, MD & chief investment officer, ARM Harith Infrastructure Fund Managers.
