By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Nigeria, Pa. Dr. Olusola Ajolore, has called on Nigerian youths and political leaders to embrace responsibility, integrity and service as critical ingredients for national renewal.
Ajolore, who spoke during a media engagement marking his 100th birthday on Monday at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja said Nigeria remained worth saving, serving and believing in, despite the challenges confronting the country.
Reflecting on his century-long experience, which he said covered the colonial era, independence, the Civil War, military rule and successive democratic administrations, the centenarian said Nigeria’s greatest challenge was not a lack of human and material resources but the failure to translate its enormous potential into the desired level of national development.
He urged government, political leaders, businesses, communities and citizens to recognise their respective responsibilities in building the country.
Ajolore appealed to young Nigerians not to surrender their future to frustration, urging them to acquire knowledge, develop useful skills, work hard, maintain integrity, use technology positively and create value.
He also challenged the older generation to examine the country they were handing over to the youth.
“Have we created enough opportunities? Have we given them quality education? Have we provided a secure environment? Have we demonstrated the integrity we expect from them?” he asked.
He said every generation had a responsibility to contribute to the country’s development.
Reflecting on his 100 years, Ajolore said longevity should not be measured only by the number of years a person lives but by what the individual contributes to society.
He advised people to take care of their bodies, maintain meaningful relationships, continue learning and remain productive for as long as their strength permits.
“If I could leave one message with Nigeria at this stage of my life, it would be this: Nigeria has enormous potential, but potential will not build a nation. People must,” he said.
Ajolore urged Nigerians to work towards a country where farmers can operate without fear, young people have access to quality education and productive opportunities, businesses can operate securely and leadership is regarded as service.
“Nigeria is worth saving. Nigeria is worth serving. And Nigeria is worth believing in,” he declared.
According to him, Nigerians must move beyond asking what the country can do for them and begin asking what they can do to make Nigeria better.
He identified insecurity as one of Nigeria’s most serious challenges, stressing that it should not be viewed solely as a military or policing issue.
He said insecurity was also an economic, agricultural, food-security and youth-development problem because farmers unable to access their farms safely could not produce effectively, while businesses operating in unsafe environments could neither create sufficient jobs nor contribute fully to economic growth.
He called for stronger security institutions, reliable intelligence, justice, community cooperation and accountability, urging authorities to identify and prosecute those who finance, facilitate or profit from violence.
The centenarian also advocated greater investment in agriculture, describing it as a modern economic sector rather than merely a traditional occupation.
He said farmers required security, financing, technology, infrastructure, storage, processing facilities and access to markets to unlock the sector’s potential.
“Young Nigerians should see agriculture as an opportunity to build successful careers across the entire value chain,” he said.
Ajolore added: “Agricultural security is part of national security.”
He maintained that securing farmers and strengthening the agricultural value chain would improve food security, create employment and boost the Nigerian economy.
The FGBMFI trustee also stressed the importance of education, saying his experience in the sector had convinced him that education must go beyond the acquisition of certificates.
“Education must produce competence and character,” he said.
He called for an education system that equips young Nigerians with relevant skills in technology, entrepreneurship, technical and vocational education, agriculture, manufacturing and other productive sectors.
According to him, education should also serve as a long-term national security strategy by providing young people with alternatives to crime, hopelessness and dependency.
He, however, challenged older Nigerians to create opportunities for young people to apply their knowledge and skills, saying encouragement alone was insufficient.
“We must give our young people not just encouragement, but opportunity,” he said.
Speaking on leadership and national values, Ajolore said Nigeria’s transformation could not be achieved through laws and policies alone if those responsible for implementing them lacked integrity.
He described leadership as service that requires responsibility, discipline, integrity and commitment to the common good.
The centenarian said his Christian faith had shaped his understanding of life, leadership and service, but stressed that values such as integrity, justice, hard work and respect for human life transcended religious boundaries.
He urged Nigerians to respect the country’s religious diversity and ensure that every citizen had the freedom to live and worship according to his or her beliefs.
Earlier in his remarks, the National President of FGBMFI Barr. Isaac Okpanachi expressed gratitude to God for the life of the centegenerian. He added that he was always eager to spread the gospel travelled to some of the most difficult cities in the country to propagate the gospel.
The event was graced by leaders of FGBMFI, including Prof. Peter Onwualu, President, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja among other dignitaries.
