Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pushing for financial autonomy of LGAs as the third tier of governance in the country.
He gave the praise while speaking on Saturday at the 14th Convocation of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, as Chancellor of the university.
According to him, “with what President Tinubu has done, be it freeing the LGAs from the economic stagnation to which the states had hitherto subjected them or the innovative and bold tax reform proposals that he has presented to the National Assembly, I see a One ray of hope is that we may well be looking at a leader who is willing to lead with unbridled bravery even at the cost of his personal expenses.
“It warms my heart that we now have a leader who does not shy away from difficult tasks and is not willing to postpone difficult conversations. With it, courage has become a habit and that habit has the power to transform our leadership, as the miracles we desperately long for may lie in the difficult tasks and conversations we are avoiding.”
On why he supports President Tinubu’s tax reforms, he stated: “I have said before and let me repeat that I support the President’s tax reforms not because they are perfect, but because it is the right thing to do.
“However, I must admit the fact that those who oppose it have the right to do so, but I do not share their jaundiced, rather tenuous and childish position that, because they do not agree with some aspects of the reforms, then the reforms must be approved. retired or killed. Leaders who are dedicated to reforms and progress do not make such wrong decisions at all.
“What is acceptable, in my opinion, is for all those who oppose the reforms to clearly state where they disagree and make better proposals than the President’s so that we can compare and contrast them to make informed decisions.
“Even laws are subject to amendment when we discover that they contain evils that need to be remedied, much less proposals that have not become law.
“For me, I said that because so many families are suffering, I do not agree with raising any type of taxes and that the issue of bypass should be clearly explained in a way that leaves no room for evasion.
“I have my proposal in that sense and I do not hesitate to defend my position in any forum. I urge all of us who disagree with some aspect of the proposed reforms to do so as well. But to say that our response to a call to implement beneficial, long-delayed reforms is that we should do nothing is bad politics, sharing buffoonery, or a combination of both.
“Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges requires bold, decisive and coordinated action on multiple fronts. Achieving this vision will require sacrifices, responsibility and collective determination from all Nigerians.
“Our young people must be at the center of this transformation. Through education, innovation and a shared commitment to excellence, we can build a Nigeria that meets the aspirations of its people.
“The time to act is neither now nor later nor tomorrow as we have not been promised a tomorrow and with determination we can turn these challenges into opportunities for a brighter future of incredible economic growth and prosperity.
“As centers of learning and innovation, universities like ours must play a central role in addressing these challenges. Research and development should focus on practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic problems.
“Partnerships with industries and governments will also ensure that the knowledge generated within our walls has real-world applications. Innovation must be the watchword because, in an increasingly competitive world, anyone who innovates more than you in any field will outcompete you.
“To our graduate students, I urge you to remain hopeful and resilient. The road ahead may be riddled with challenges, but you are equipped with the tools to overcome them. You are the leaders of tomorrow, the architects of a better Nigeria.
“Be proud of your achievements and accept the responsibility that comes with them. The training you have acquired here has given you the license to follow the path in life, but the future belongs to those of you who will put into practice what you have learned here. You will soon realize that one is wise not because one knows the right things, but because one does the right things one knows.”