To build a successful society and nation, there must be a deliberate effort to create unity, with equity, justice, the rule of law, and accountability as components.
And the onus particularly lies on the elites of that society, who must be prepared to make the sacrifices for the benefit of the people.
This was the submission of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the “Nigeria at 62 Independence Day Anniversary Public Lecture” held at the statehouse Banquet hall in Abuja, where he was special guest of honour.
According to a statement by the media aide of the vice president, Laolu Akande, the guest lecturer at the event was the former head of the civil service of the federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi who spoke on the topic, Elites and National Unity.
In his lecture, Prof. Afolabi noted what he described as the “immense responsibility of the Nigerian elite” in resolving the country’s challenges, fostering national unity and development.
Speaking on the topic after listening to the lecture, the Vice President noted that “the story of successful societies is quite simple. It is usually the story of how the society’s elite – its best educated, its political, religious class, influence, direct and lead their societies to progress.
“Put differently, every successful society is the product of a conscious, elite consensus: the implicit and explicit agreements of the elite to change their societies for good. But the elite must be prepared to make the sacrifices for the benefit of everyone.”
