In a thought-provoking Christmas message delivered at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, former Minister of Power and current Vice Chancellor of the University of the Niger, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, articulated a poignant perspective on Nigeria’s challenges. Prof. Nebo fervently emphasized that the resolution of these challenges requires the pivotal involvement of the private sector, emphasizing that placing the onus solely on the political class is akin to an exercise in futility.
Prof. Nebo adamantly expressed, “Nigeria’s predicaments cannot be remedied by the political class alone.” He underscored the imperative role of the organized private sector in actualizing the liberation of Nigeria from its current socio-economic quagmire. He passionately iterated, “Relying on the very system that is eroding the fabric of our nation will render all efforts futile. It is only through the intervention of the organized private sector that Nigeria can break free from the shackles of adversity.”
Firmly advocating for a paradigm shift, Prof. Nebo invoked a potent Chinese adage, highlighting the futility of perpetuating the status quo in the hope of yielding different outcomes. Courageously confronting the prevailing hardships faced by Nigerians, he addressed the alarming inflation that has debilitated the populace, impairing their ability to meet their basic needs. Despite these challenges, Prof. Nebo juxtaposed the prevailing hardships with the message of hope symbolized by the Christmas season.
Graciously acknowledging the Enugu Sports Club for affording him the esteemed platform to share in the joy of Christmas, Prof. Nebo lauded the introduction of the carol of nine lessons as a soothing balm for the prevailing societal anxieties. Reflecting on the spiritual significance of Christmas, he relayed the profound message of peace encapsulated within the birth of Christ, discerning between transient worldly peace and the enduring tranquility derived from a divine source.
The Christmas event, impeccably orchestrated by the Enugu Sports Club, was not only an exquisite display of musical prowess but also a respite from the economic tribulations pervading the nation. Nnanna Atuonwu, the Chairman of the Enugu Sports Club, fervently conveyed his gratitude to the attendees, encapsulating the sentiment of togetherness and festive cheer that permeated the gathering. This yuletide initiative, aimed at instilling the spirit of Christmas and fostering a sense of communal harmony, was graced by eminent personalities, including the Bishop of Enugu North East Methodist Church Nigeria, His Lordship, Osondu Ekweremadu, and a medley of distinguished figures from the spheres of business, politics, and culture.
In extending a powerful exhortation that transcends the cultural and economic landscape, Prof. Chinedu Nebo’s impassioned appeal for the pivotal involvement of the private sector in sculpting Nigeria’s trajectory resonates not only within the Nigerian ethos but reverberates across the global socio-economic spectrum. His sagacious counsel and unwavering optimism stand as a herald of hope, igniting the fervent aspiration for a transformative future, underpinned by the collective efforts of the private sector and imbued with the spirit of Christmas.
