By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The senior pastor of the Trinity House Church, Ituah Olajide Ighodalo, said on Saturday that corruption destroys a nation at the maiden Elijah Tobi Obishakin Foundation colloquium.
The Elijah Tobi Obishakin (ETO) Foundation is a non-profit initiative that aims to empower and educate Nigerian children and youths, as well as women and other groups that are either less privileged or disadvantaged in society.
“We aim to do this through various projects such as colloquia, skills training events, educational scholarships, and feeding programs for the less privileged in our community,” he said
The young Nigerians were admonished to play their role in the forthcoming election at the special colloquium tagged “Nigeria We Desire: Youth Perspective to Achieve It,” held at the Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos.
The program was hosted by Subrina Ozma. Speakers include Pastor Ituah Igbadalo, Ife Saloko, Seun Kuti, Kawthar Monisola Salaudeen, Obiora Obiwon, and Ayodeji Aluko, respectively.
The Founder, Elijah, in his welcome address, said: “Humanity” is greater than “status.” You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean. If a few drops of dirty water are added to the ocean, the ocean does not become dirty.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Humanity is a trait many lack today. If people can be more humane in their dealings with others, the world will be better. With this, I welcome you to the inaugural colloquium and first outing of the ETO Foundation.”
While commending his wife for her support and his parents, the late Deacon Edward Oladele Obishakin and his mother, Pastor Mrs. Adetoun Obishakin, for the discipline they instilled in him.He added that his childhood dream was revived when he had his daughter.
“My joy knew no bounds. As a father, you will try your best to protect your child and make them happy for the rest of their life in your little way, but the reality of our society struck me.”
According to him, “the height of insecurity is poor health facilities, poor educational infrastructure, and the negligence of our future leaders (the Nigerian children and youths), extrajudicial killings, and police brutality. The list goes on. Living standards have deteriorated, people are suffering, and the masses are frustrated due to many factors, of which a lack of good governance is a key.”
He also noted that citizens should not blame the leaders alone, saying they have a critical role to play in making Nigeria and our world better.
There is a saying that “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” John Stuart Mill I tell people not to blame our leaders alone; they also have a part to play in making Nigeria and our world better. So I ask you today: Are you a law-abiding citizen? Do you obey traffic laws? Do you pay your taxes? Do you vote during elections? Are you sincere at your place of work or business? Are you your brother’s keeper? The ETO Foundation was founded to help educate and reorient citizens of this great nation through various programs, one of which is today’s colloquium, he said.
Other initiatives planned soon are feeding projects and providing free medical services and medicine to the less fortunate.
“We decided to fund this event ourselves and not solicit funds from anyone as our contribution toward the well-being of our citizens. There’s a need for us to come together to discuss solutions and take decisive action against the various ills of our society. Then, we go all out to tell other men, women, and children that they have a part to play in making Nigeria a great nation.”
Continuing, he said, “The popular word now is “Japa.” Our youths, our future, are relocating to other, more advanced countries. These nations are as developed as they are because generations of people have sacrificed and taken it upon themselves to make the system work. What is your contribution to making Nigeria work? This is why we are here today. The elections are here; what role are you playing to ensure that suitable candidates are voted in to tackle the various ills of our society? Are you going to sit at home while others vote? Or are you part of the people who want immediate gratification and suffer for another four years? That is what we have come here to correct.
While thanking the planning committee and guests, he described keynote speaker Pastor Ituah Ighodalo as his mentor and a great source of inspiration for the ETO Foundation. However, she charged young Nigerians to play their role in moving the country forward.
He said, “You have a part to play.” It is time for us to take a stand. It is time for us to let them know that enough is indeed enough. It is time for us to learn how to move our nation forward.”
In part of his keynote address, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo says corruption destroys a nation.
He said, “They live by corruption; they lead and survive on corruption; they politicize corruption; they think corruption is a right. Corruption destroys a nation very simply.”
Explaining, he noted, “The nation generates N1, you spend 80 Kobo in your pocket, and you spend 20 Kobo to build infrastructure for 210 million people. It cannot work. Corruption disrupts; the person who should get it is not the person who gets it because nepotism is corruption.
“Corruption messes up because nobody can tell the truth about what’s going on; corruption destroys this nation.” “We have to rid this nation of corruption completely,” he said.
According to Pastor Ituah, that’s why Singapore survived with zero corruption. A man in Singapore went on a business trip with a businessman; he was a civil servant by the time he came back, and the Prime Minister fired him. Why can you go on a trip with a businessman, and you are the one in charge of his application? He fired him.
“We must get rid of corruption in Nigeria, and then we must educate our people. When the people are ignorant, there will be a problem. We must decide that collectively we must work together to build a better Nigeria,” he added.
He noted that bringing about the desired change in the country should not be about an individual but collective responsibility, saying, “Anybody that’s rightly better than you in an area allows him to do it.” You don’t have to… You don’t have to insist on yourself; there must be a rule of law and fair play.
“There’s to be an enthronement of ability, capacity, competence, and skill. Then, you can have the better Nigeria of your dream,” Pastor Ituah said.
The highlights of the colloquium after the panelist discussion were the launch of a book authored by Tobi Obishakin titled “The Journey of a Tested Faith: Seven Days” and the cutting of the cake.
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