Abdulsalami asks Nigerians to temper expectations ‘as some problems will persist’

Abdulsalami Abubakar, former head of state, says Nigeria has always had social, economic and political problems and they will continue existing to varying degrees of intensity.

Speaking on Saturday at the 8th convocation of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Abubakar said the solution to Nigeria’s challenges was for citizens to unite.

He warned political leaders against making frivolous promises to the people in the face of the prevailing difficulties, and for the credibility of the fledgling democracy.

He said that in times of difficulty, leaders would be measured by the promises they kept.

He admonished the people to be moderate in their expectations, saying that there could be no quick fixes to all national challenges.

He explained that challenges were not strange to the country, and recalled that collective resolutions to such challenges had seen the nation through trying times in the past.

“We must accept that Nigeria has always had social, economic and political problems, and it will continue to have them to varying degrees of intensity,” he said.

“The real joy lies for us in our determination to pursue them and solve them as brothers.”

Abubakar stressed the need for government at all levels to institute monitoring teams on higher institutions in the country, in order to discourage education tourism of Nigerian students.

He explained that the step would also enable Nigeria to return to its lost glory among the comity of nations in the area of education.

At the convocation ceremony, Abubakar bagged a doctor of science degree (honoris causa) in public administration, and described it as one he and his family would cherish forever.

Also Lamidi Adeyemi, the alafin of Oyo, was invested as the chancellor of the university and was honoured with doctor of science (honoris causa) in public administration.