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BENIN – Professor Damian Mbaegbu of the Department of Business Management, Igbinedion University, Okada, has described the incidence of mass poverty in Nigeria as a case of self inflicted injury on the people by the people.
Prof. Mbaegbu who made the observation in a paper he delivered at the 26th Inaugural Lecture of Igbinedion University, Okada, said if Nigeria is restructured politically and socially re-engineered and the economy is diversified and sustainable, every Nigerian will be comfortable with mass poverty not only be alleviated but eradicated.
He warned that if the exploitation of the masses by the upper and the middle class or the Bourgeois class continues, one day Nigerians shall wake up to experience masses revolt, that is, the sufferings have become too much to bear.
Prof. Mbaegbu who said that the title of his lecture, ‘The incidence of Mass Poverty In Nigeria: A Case of Self Inflicted Injury On The People By The People” was apt, pointed out that an average Nigerian has no business with poverty but only suffering from self inflicted poverty.
According to him,”The thesis of this lecture is that the average Nigerian has no business with poverty. God made Nigeria rich and endowed it with everything that makes life comfortable.
“Mass poverty afflicting more than 80% of Nigerians is a self inflicted injury on the people by the people themselves”.
Itemizing what he described as Drivers of Mass Poverty in Nigeria, professor Mbaegbu said, “I have been a Participant Observer of the Nigerian Systems since 1978.
“The factors that lead Nigeria into massive poverty are many and diverse but the major keys of them are Incompetent leadership, Official Corruption, Exchange Rate Disability, Ignorance of the M asses
and Religiosity/Backward culture”.
He noted that incompetent leadership and Mass Poverty evidences abound to Prove that Nigeria has not been blessed with good and committed political and industry leaders.
“Of course with the mental poverty of the leaders as stated earlier nothing exciting should be expected. Chinua Achebe said it all in his book “The Trouble with Nigeria’.
“In other words, the founding fathers were not committed. They were incompetent. They were not patriotic and nothing has changed till date”
He said leaders seek the mandates of the people to serve them and make an impact but Nigerian leaders seek a mandate to loot the common wealth of the people and bank the stolen funds in overseas banks, where the funds are used for production and poverty eradication by those people.
“The irony of it is that in Nigeria, if one goes into politics to render honest service and not steal from the people, the same people will laugh at him at the end of the day and call him a fool.
“To them, it is your turn (Emilokan): It is God who has blessed you with the opportunity to become rich. My people, the Igbo people, explain it better. They say it is your pear (ube) that has ripened and you should eat it. When you climb the Iroko tree, gather all the firewood for yourself,” he said.
The Professor of business management also noted that from Independence to date, the scenario has not changed.
According to Nigeria has not had a Mandela or a Nyerere or an Nkrumah who were charismatic leaders. Among the leaders the immediate past president appears to take the trophy for non-performance.
“He was a laissez-faire leader who was never in control. He had a cabal that took decisions for him while he migrated abroad often for medical tourism. Although nothing is wrong for a President to seek quality medical treatment but why did he not establish similar hospitals in Nigeria and save foreign exchange.
“He preferred to travel abroad to go to hospitals established by leaders like him. To date nobody has told Nigerians how much was spent on such medical tourism. He was not the first of such leaders and “‘absentee-landlords’’, anyway,” he declared.
Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University while introducing the guest lecturer earlier said inaugural Lecture was a celebration of intellectual achievement and a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and innovative research.
The VC said by its nature, an Inaugural Lecture is an occasion of significance in an academic environment. It is held to acknowledge the appointment or promotion of a new, full-fledged professor.
“More importantly, it affords the Professor the opportunity to present the body of research that he or she has been engaged in during his or her career in a non-complex and down to earth manner.
“Today, we come together to celebrate not only the achievements of our esteemed speaker but also the vibrant academic community that fosters such excellence. As a smart campus, Igbinedion University has always striven to create an environment where knowledge thrives, where creativity is encouraged, and where the pursuit of truth is paramount.
“In a world that is constantly changing, exacerbated by disruptive technological revolution, the role of universities as bastions of knowledge and innovation has never been more crucial.
Ezemonye commended Professor Damian Mbaegbu, a Professor of Business Management at the University for the 26th Inaugural Lecture titled: “The Incidence of Mass Poverty in Nigeria: A Case of Self Inflicted Injury on the People by the People”
The VC further declared, “At Igbinedion University, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators who will contribute to better the society.
“This commitment is reflected in our continued investment in cutting-edge research, digital infrastructure, fostering of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and our dedication to the holistic development of our students.”
