By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has called for support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to implement reforms in the power sector and other initiatives aimed at benefiting Nigerians.
In a message delivered at the 8th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lokoja, Kogi State, Buratai emphasized that effective solutions to the numerous challenges in the power sector would attract investors to Nigeria.
Represented by Dr. Mohammed Sam Abubakar, his Special Adviser on Research and Development, Buratai expressed optimism that the President’s new cabinet would be capable of transforming the power sector.
Discussing the conference theme, “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy,” Buratai highlighted its relevance as Nigeria faces insecurity that undermines social stability. He urged a commitment to innovation as essential for advancing the nation’s collective goals. “We must use technology as a catalyst for meaningful progress,” he said, adding, “Nigerians should support President Tinubu in his efforts.”
He warned that unless the current administration addresses the issue of miscreants damaging power infrastructure in certain regions, such destructive behavior could spread across the country.
Meanwhile, Prof. Rotimi Ajayi of the Department of Political Science at Federal University Lokoja, a panelist at the conference, stated that insecurity, power deficits, and the transition to a digital economy are interconnected in terms of their causes and solutions.
He pointed out a critical missing element in the analysis of Nigeria’s challenges: the question of leadership. While noting that the governance process is flawed, he asserted that the issue is not solely about corruption, but a combination of many factors.
“When I consider the demographics of Nigeria, the least of the people’s concerns is digital education; they primarily want food and access to their farms. Therefore, addressing insecurity is crucial, and that responsibility lies with leadership,” he stated.
“Nigeria no longer has followers; citizens have become subjugated. Unfortunately, many believe that access to government is merely an opportunity to exploit resources,” he added.
Ajayi urged online publishers to scrutinize the governance process and advocate for societal measures that not only punish corruption but also condemn anything that glorifies it. “This approach will help prevent insecurity from flourishing,” he explained.