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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has lamented that the country has become a “burial ground for policies,” leading to more setbacks than progress.
Speaking on Saturday, Obasanjo criticized the nation’s inability to implement policies effectively, stating that while Nigeria has no shortage of ideas for advancement, the lack of execution has been a significant problem.
According to Obasanjo, policies alone are not enough to drive the country forward. He emphasized that meaningful progress is only achieved through decisive actions, not by making promises or announcements.
The former president stressed the importance of focusing on what can realistically be achieved, rather than trying to accomplish everything at once, advising against the “jack of all trades, master of none” approach.
Obasanjo said: “It is not enough for leaders to have policies or make statements. We are not short of policies in Nigeria. Unfortunately, Nigeria has become a burial ground of policies that are either unimplemented or unexecuted.
“Those who make progress achieved progress, not on the basis of wishing to make progress, but on taking actions. They do not take two steps forward and three steps backward.
“Regrettably this is what we are doing in every aspect of our national life. And as long as we are doing things this way, progress will elude us. Let us carry the ones we can carry, we cannot be jack of all trade and master of none.”
Obasanjo made these remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the Olusegun Obasanjo Space Centre in Abuja during the 8th Engr Brig Gen (rtd) Micheal Agu Annual Distinguished Lecture and Awards.
The event, hosted by the Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers, focused on Nigeria’s achievements, challenges, and future prospects in space exploration over the past two decades, with the theme “Nigeria’s 21 years in space 2003-2024: Achievements, challenges and prospects.”
At the event, Obasanjo was honored with the title of Grand Commander of Nigerian Space Exploration.
He recounted his administration’s efforts in establishing the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and sending over 100 engineers to China for specialized training.
His government had envisioned launching Nigeria’s first satellite in collaboration with China, followed by a second and third satellite with increasing Nigerian involvement.
However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of sustained progress, noting that the agency struggled at one point to even pay its workers.
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