Nigeria can produce the highest quality individuals to run the most efficient governments and private institutions if the right values are taught in schools, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said Tuesday.
Osinbajo said this in Abeokuta, Ogun state, while delivering the centenary lecture of the Baptist Boys’ High School (BBHS).
He said beyond teaching the right values in schools, Nigerians must only in institutions of learning, but also imbibe a national ethic of hardwork, honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, among others.
Speaking on the topic “Values: the difference between success and failure,” Osinbajo said an ethical revolution is necessary to fast-track the country’s development towards becoming a great nation.
He said there was the need for a national consensus, especially among the political, religious and business elite, in accepting and implementing minimum ethical standards “where we establish a national work ethic of honesty, hardwork, thrift and the deferment of gratification.”
“It is what is taught and learned that shapes the character of individuals and nations. But it is not just teaching, governments must lead this ethical revolution, by rewarding ethical behaviour and ensuring speedy punishment for misconduct.
“The religious elite must reinforce the ethical direction agreed by showing that wealth, and influence are built by hard work, diligence and the deferment of gratification and not just by miracles.
“The religious elite must also reject and ostracize public officers and persons whose wealth cannot be explained or is clearly from shady or suspicious sources. Every modern society has had to deal with corruption, and enthrone minimum ethical standards to succeed, we must do the same,” he said.
He said the values of integrity, hard work and trustworthiness are what make individuals, institutions and nations great.
“The difference between men and women who attain significance and those who do not is values. So, it is also the case that the difference between successful societies or countries and failed or failing countries is values.
world’s richest mineral deposits, yet the countries in the region are some of the poorest in the world.”
