Good Governance Attainable in Nigeria- Bolaji Akinyemi, Richard Joseph

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and newly appointed Council Chairman of The Nigerian Institute of Foreign Affairs (NIIA), Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and a renowned Professor of Political Science, Richard Joseph have expressed optimism towards the attainment of good governance in Nigeria.

They made this known at the Inauguration of Richard Joseph Learning Center at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) yesterday in Lagos.

Professor Akinyemi said hope is inevitable for good governance to come to fruition in the country.

He noted that democracy will be achieved eventually even though the country is not there yet.

“But, we must have hope and i can fully identify with what Professor Richard Joseph had just said.

“We shall overcome and we will overcome.

“We have not achieved what democracy should achieve but we just keep at it.

“So, your generation will have something to inherit.” Akinyemi stated.

Speaking also, The Professor of Political Science said his level of experience overtime lent credence to the fact that Nigeria will achieve good governance.

He recounted his experience of democracy threatened in the country, looking at the resistance and the sacrifices.

Professor Richard, however, said the country was able to overcome; hence, no reason for him to doubt Nigeria overcoming its current issues.

“I have seen it. I have lived it. I have been involved in civil rights movement. I have been in Mississippi with some of our great leaders.

“I have been involved in the anti-colonial movement.

“I have seen where democracy was threatened in Nigeria and the resistance and the sacrifices.

“We were able to come over them. I have no reason to doubt that we will overcome.” Richard stated.

Meanwhile, Richard said the inauguration shows the determination and the resilience over the number of years, expressing being privileged to add to the collection as his family name is connected to the institution forever.

He added that the Inauguration shows their believe in Nigeria, noting that many of them have been in the struggle for what Nigeria can and should be.

In his remarks, The Director-General, NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae hoped that the agenda would be reset with the newly inaugurated Centre.

The DG described the day as history making, noting that the institute has grown many inches taller as they continue to count.

“We hope we can reset the agenda with this Richard Joseph Learning Centre.

“This is the day of history making. We have grown many inches taller. We will continue to count.” He stated.