Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the Former Secretary General of Commonwealth expressed great sadness over the refusal of taking due steps to become a nation rather than remaining backward.

He spoke at the 12^th Emeka Anyaoku Distinguished Lecture on Tuesday, 31 October, 2023 at Uyo Akwa Ibom themed, “ Imperative of Good Governance in Nigeria” organized by the Youth Affairs International.

Anyaoku began by saying; “My first words must be to thank His Excellency the Governor for accepting to host this lecture. As you have been told, this is the 12^th series. The first series was hosted by the then governor of Lagos, Governor Fashola.” I am truly delighted that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State agreed to host it this time. He said.

Few days after I saw His Excellency the Governor of Akwa Ibom State emphasized on education and how to deploy the resources of the State to education rather than luxuries I was impressed. Surprisingly, when the organizers reached out to me and told me that they were thinking of Akwa Ibom State to host this lecture, I did not hesitate to agree with them.

I would say that what I have read and seen about Akwa Ibom, has encouraged me to believe that if governance as conducted in Akwa Ibom spreads nationally, Nigeria stands a good chance to return to the period when it still worked.

He recalled how safe it used to be to travel within the country when he was young and stated that there was a need to return to those good old days when Nigeria worked. And how young people at that time were full of hope.

 “We were proud to identify ourselves as Nigeria wherever we went. We were glad that our country was evolving slowly to become a nation. But today it seems we have taken steps backwards to remain a country. We have not yet become a nation,” he stated.

Chief Anyaoku appreciated the Keynote Speaker, and Director General Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Prof. Eghosa Osagie, emphasising that the analysis and prescriptions mentioned were already working in Akwa Ibom State.

“And I believe that when the practice here in Akwa Ibom spreads to the rest of the country, particularly to Abuja, Nigeria will begin to work again. I also thank the organisers of the lecture series, ‘Youth Affairs International’. I thank them and wish them well”, he added.

In Governor’s Umo Eno remarks, he described Chief Anyaoku as, a “Nigerian gift to the World”.

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The governor said that he took an excuse to attend the Governor’s forum meeting in Abuja late because of the Lecture and the personality involved,  pointed out that he could not have missed the event for anything as the host.

“It is not every time a Chief Emeka Anyaoku come by. I would like to say that he has been a Beacon of Hope for some of us. On behalf of the people of Akwa Ibom State, I welcome you, and we celebrate you for all that God has used you to do for our country.”

“Let me thank the organisers of this event for seeking after knowledge, and for instituting this lecture series and immortalizing the name of one of our great leaders in Nigeria. What you are doing is commendable and I want to also thank you for choosing Akwa Ibom State to host it”, Governor said.