By Fatima Muraina

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Nigerians have been urged to reassess their  values beyond money.

The advice was given at the MSSN B-Zone 13th Annual Symposium, tagged Ondo 2024, with the theme Transforming the Devastated Macro-Environment for a Sustainable Economy, held in Akure, the State capital.

Delivering a paper titled The Dynamics of Socio-Ethical Issues in the Reformation of Nigeria’s Economy, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN) advised Nigerians to undergo an attitudinal change to foster and entrench the culture of transparency and open communication for the country’s growth.

He urged people to tackle corruption head-on, describing it as one of the major challenges confronting the nation, and stressed the need to prioritise merit over  biases.

While noting that the world has transitioned into the digital age, Adetunbi advised Nigerians to positively utilise technology to grow the economy and keep it in check.

He called on MSSN members to be good ambassadors of the country, avoid replicating the failures of the present generation, and always speak the truth to power, standing for what is just. He encouraged them to be fearless, advocate for positive change, fairness, and justice.

Similarly, Prof. Abd-Rauf  Ogunsaki, who presented a paper titled Evaluation of the Macroeconomic Environment: The Challenges of the Governed and the Government, identified primary factors contributing to Nigeria’s backwardness as arrogance, laziness, self-gratification, empty rhetoric, and inadequate leadership.

According to him, these factors collectively highlight the issue of poor governance and distorted macroeconomic policies, resulting in widespread poverty, corruption, economic wrongdoing, and sluggish economic growth.

He emphasised the urgent need to address these challenges in order for the country to achieve accelerated economic growth and be on the path to greatness.

 He also recommended diversifying the economy and urged individuals to engage in ventures that can generate income, noting that this is the only solution to the current challenges.

Dignitaries who also spoke at the event advised that changes should begin at the individual level, and cautioned against utterances that could disrupt peace and tranquillity within the environment and the country at large.

Imams and Alfas were equally urged to refer to the scriptures and ensure that people follow the teachings of the Quran in the development of the country.

Among those who spoke were the Chairman of the League of Imams and Alfas, Ondo State, Alhaji Ahmed Aladesawe, and the Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede.