By Thompson Yamput

Prof. Kolade Olorunleke, a Professor of Business Administration, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), has advocated for nationalistic embrace of local goods and services by all Nigerians to stimulate economic growth.

Olorunleke made the call during his inaugural lecture titled ”Management Outcomes: What You See is a Tip of the Iceberg”, which held at the institution on Thursday.

He also frowned at the continued use of the US dollar above the nation’s currency, the Naira, describing it as unpatriotic and dangerous to economic growth and development.

He noted that Nigerians must have attitudinal change towards their disposition towards imported products.

“More than ever before, this is the time for the nationalistic spirit of embracing our local goods and services and minimising the craze for imported luxuries.

“This is because it is becoming clearly evident that the nation’s economy cannot further legitimise such absurdities.

“Which country in the world aspires for true greatness and abandons its local currency and publicly turns the dollar to its medium of exchange?

“Or even condones the wanton display of opulence, greed and waste by those at the helms of affairs, both in their personal, social or official lines of duty?” he queried.

According to him, it’s high time the Nigerian Government began to invest in social services that will benefit the greater majority of the citizens, who must be made to patronise our local products more than the foreign.

The professor of business administration said that attention must be paid to the basic infrastructure that guarantee minimum living standards such as roads, schools, health facilities and water.

He added that Nigerians were not asking for too much from their leaders.

“All they aspire for is to be empowered to pursue a living of their own, not the ostentatious habits of the few elites.

“Small scale industries must be allowed to breathe as the drivers of the economy same way the big industries are vital for the sustenance of the nation.

“Efforts must be deployed to bring back the textile, glass, steel and agro-based industries. The peasants, artisans and market men and women, which constitute the informal sector, must not be ignored in government’s economic programmes,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of FUL, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, said that the inaugural lecture was not just a ceremonial tradition, but a significant academic rite of passage and a moment of accountability and an opportunity to inform, challenge and inspire.

According to Akinwumi, it allows a professor to present the summary of years of research, teaching, administrative experience, and professional contribution in a chosen field.

“At FUL, we hold fast to this cherished tradition in line with global university standards, because it strengthens our intellectual culture, encourages academic excellence, and showcases the depth of scholarship we are building within our institution.

He commended the lecturer for his research prowess and for preparing a deeply insightful and thought-provoking lecture, whose topic was both compelling and reflective.

“It speaks to the unseen complexities, the strategic planning, the silent sacrifices, and the often invisible labour that go into achieving tangible results in leadership and administration.

“It is a theme that resonates deeply with those of us in management, as we navigate the multiple layers of institutional responsibilities to create impact and value in our various domains,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker