By Daniel Adeleye

The Lagos state deputy governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hazat has enjoined Nigerians especially the civil society, social organisations and academia to team up and build a virile nation of their dreams, saying the role of academia cannot be over-emphasized in development.

Hamzat stated this at the 72nd anniversary lecture of the elitist Lagos country club, Ikeja.

Speaking on the theme ‘Imperatives of Good Governance; The Role of Non State Actors’, the deputy governor stressed that it behooves on all citizens to come together and develop the nation, adding that good governance at all levels is key to the success of Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

Dr. Hamzat said his vision of a virile na­tion is where the extensive natural resources are deployed to provide general happiness and an oppor­tunity for citizens to excel in their pursuits.

He explained that various agitations in the country are due to the clash of interest festered by ethnicity and race, which if not properly managed may lead to the breakdown of the nation.

The deputy governor noted that restructuring is not the only issue confronting the country, but the inability of state actors to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, poverty, corruption, family breakdown and insecurity as other challenges bedeviling the nation.

He stressed that there has been inherent discrimination against Nigeria over the years, saying Nigerians must come together to free the nation from her current state of paralysis and march towards a future that poten­tially awaits her.