Pastor Ituah Ighodalo-Founder of The Trinity Church situated along Coastal Road, Oniru in Victoria Island-Lagos has celebrated his 65th birthday with his annual colloquium themed: “The Future of Nigeria”.
The colloquium which was the 6th in the series brought together great minds who discussed the future of Nigeria, especially on how individuals can make the difference through their meaningful contributions.
Pastor Ighodalo while opening the floor for the panel discussion to be held, was full of appreciation to God for the gift of a new age. He also poured out his mind on the degrading nature of the country, which was brought about by the colonial masters.
According to him: “Nigeria may have been seemingly a mistake, a creation of the British Colonial Masters who came here for their own benefit.
They wanted to extract our resources and take over the land. They did not come here to make Nigeria a great place, they did not come here to foster unity, In fact; they amalgamated us forcefully, not because they thought it was in our best interest but because, it was in their own best interests”, Ighodalo told the guests.
The Keynote Speaker was the former President of Nigeria, Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo who spoke to the guests virtually through a recorded video of him was dismayed at the level of backwardness that is bedeviling Nigeria at this moment of time, even after 65 years of Independence.
Obasanjo while sounding a note of warning concerning the state of the nation, revealed that if drastic measures were not taken, the years of woes on the citizenry would be non-stop.
While he made reference to the catalogue of misfortunes that followed the nation, beginning from the days when the founding fathers deliberated on the subject of ‘Independence’, to the present moment, Obasanjo argued that Nigeria may not move to the next level, except the leaders eschew their selfish interests and think first about how to make the country better in all circumstances.
In his words: “The future of Nigeria is at stake, if we continue the way we are going. So, the earlier we stop, think and put things right, the more it will be for the future”, he said.
Then came the panel session, where discussants proffered suggestions on how to make Nigeria great again.
Professor Gbenga Nubi of The University of Lagos and Ms Taiye Tunkarimu were the moderators of the session.
Other discussants were; Professor Eghosa O. E. Osaghae, Mrs Maryam Uwais OON, Professor Bongo Adi from The Lagos Business School, Mrs Opeyemi Adamolekun and The CEO of Future Africa Iyinoluwa Aboyeji.
They all took the guests on an extraordinary and inspiring journey of discovery, that will help raise Nigeria on a high pedestal at the global stage.
Some distinguished personalities at the event were: the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State- Alhaja Chief Mrs Sinatu Ojikutu, former Governor of Cross River State- Donald Duke and his beautiful wife Onari Duke, former First Lady of Ogun State- Dr. Olufunso Amosun, The Honorary Consul of Namibia in Nigeria-Mr Chuma Anosike, the richest woman in Africa- Pastor Folorunsho Alakija, Olori Oladunni Sijuwade (Yeye Olori Ladun, Wife of the late 50th Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade (Olubuse II) known for her role as a cultural and traditional icon and the first female Minister of Defence who served as the Minister of State for Defence (2011–2012) and subsequently Minister of Defence (2012–2013) under President Goodluck Jonathan and a former Deputy Governor of Osun State (2003–2010) Erelu Olusola Obada among others.
