Nigeria has no reason to fail Africa – Ghana’s VP

Ado-Ekiti – Ghana’s Vice President John Mahama has challenged Nigeria to use its human and material resources to lead other African nations to economic greatness

Mahamamade the call in Ado Ekiti on Saturday while being conferred with the honorary Degree of Public Administration by the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

L-R: Vice President of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama; Ekiti State Governor and Visitor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Patrick Aina, at the 17th Convocation and 30th Anniversary Ceremonies of the university in Ado-Ekiti... on Saturday

“Nigeria contributes over 50 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in West Africa,’’ he said, adding that it had no reason to fail the continent in view of the resources at its disposal.

He said that Nigeria and Ghana had symbiotic relationship in terms of educational and economic attainments since Independence and urged Nigeria to take the leadership position in Africa and ensure that all the evils bedeviling the continent were solved.

He submitted that receiving honorary title from Ekiti State University (EKSU) do not diminish his title as the Vice President of Ghana.

“When I told some of my friends that I will be receiving award they thought it will be from Cambridge or Oxford University.

“But I want to say proudly today that this honour is symbolic and receiving this award remains a pride to me because President Goodluck Jonathan was in this way honoured by Ghana Institute of  Administration’’.

Also speaking at the occasion, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, promised to teach Peace and Conflict Studies in the Department of Political Science in the University.

Fayemi, who said the rating of Nigerian universities in the world, was unacceptable to him, charged African Nations to ensure that the African universities were made one of the best in the world.

“The best African University was rated number 387 in 2011, while the best rated Nigerian University was number 2,266 position,” he said, noting that this rating speaks volume.

According to him, I am not unaware that the major complaints of public institutions centre on inadequate funding, noting it would not be acceptable to the State Government as an excuse for failure.

“I challenge you to engage in profitable and socially relevant consultancy and be prudent in your resource management. ’’

He further called on the authorities of the institution to collaborate institutions outside the country, noting that it was the key used by successful universities.

Other eminent Africans honoured at the occasion include the Director General of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Prof Tekene Tamuno and Dr Kande Yumkella, who were conferred with honorary of Doctor of Letters and Doctor Science respectively. (NAN)