For democracy to thrive in Nigeria and Africa in general, all stakeholders must be included in all decision making process.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) declared this while delivering the 2018 National Annual Public Service Lecture organized by University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Nigeria, titled “Multi-Party Democracy and The Politics of Dis-empowerment in Nigeria”, held at the Alumni Association Auditorium in the University of Ibadan .

He stressed that there should be a conscious move to integrate the masses into the execution of government policies, adding that if governance is on the people’s behalf, the curriculum of education must reflect their collective yearnings and the means to satisfy them.

Akeredolu who noted that the education of the citizens must be structured in such a manner that addresses the challenges of existence faced by a society, maintained that education must be a process through which the people are trained to solve existential problems.

According to the Governor, the current political practices cannot engender real development, as the emasculation of the people through exclusion from the decision-making process makes nonsense of the whole claim to democratic governance.

He tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as an electoral body, to act beyond being a mere observer at party primaries and take active interest in the activities of party leadership.

Akeredolu further asserted that, in the second republic, only a few among the prominent political gladiators presented treatises which clearly captured the very essence of the challenges with which the people were confronted.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Idowu Olayinka described the theme of the lecture as apt and called on Nigerians to extricate from politics of calumny.

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Strategic Partnership of the varsity, Prof Olanike Adeyemo, he commended the Governor for his will and courage to express some of the challenges people are confronted with by their leaders and appealed to leaders to always consider the interest of the people in all that they do.



Also, President of the Alumni Association Worldwide, Prof Elsie Adewoye thanked the governor for accepting to present the lecture adding that he has joined league of prominent Nigerians that have come to share their experiences with them .

Highpoint of the event was the conferment of the Honorary Alumni Award on the Governor which automatically made him a full-time.

Speaking further, he said; ” NMA in line with best practices introduced Doctor’s stamp in 2017 to help check the proliferation of quackery and related practices.

“We therefore enjoined all medical and dental practitioners to key into this strategic anti quackery measure in order to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

“We also appeal to government at all levels to join hands with the association in this regard.”

While commending doctors for their sacrifices and dedication to duty in ensuring the protection of Nigerians, he called on government to take precautions against outbreak of diseases especially in flooded areas in the country.

However, he condemned the killings of health workers by insurgents and appealed to government to rescue those in captivity and also ensure that there is adequate protection for Nigerians.