Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, says the many quacks involved in Nigerian politics have pushed Nigeria to its lowest level.
Duke spoke on the sidelines of the 2024 Career Conference for Teenagers entitled “The Power of Music” in Abuja on Saturday.
The conference was hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Everlasting Arm Parish, Garki.
Duke urged the political class to make a concerted effort to restore hope and pride to the country’s youth.
The former governor said the majority of Nigerian youths have their attention set on other climates and are not seeking a better future in the country.
He stressed the need to weed out quacks who view politics as a means of livelihood rather than a means of service.
He added that by viewing politics as a means of service, politicians can lead by example and create hope.
“Hope is an eternal springing force that creates hope in young people that tomorrow will be better than today, just as today was supposed to be better than yesterday,” Duke said.
“Politics may be the noblest profession, but the number of quacks now involved in politics has reduced it to the lowest level.
“When politics is right, everything improves. It improves medicine. It improves your livelihood. When we complain that the country is not good, it’s the politicians.
“So if you have the right politicians, you’ll have the right country. So it’s the noblest profession, but unfortunately it’s full of quacks.”
He blamed the country’s high inflation rate on energy costs and tasked the political class with addressing the energy crisis by turning gas flaring into economic support.
He urged Nigerian youths to remain focused and strive to create a history that will be remembered forever.
Duke noted that God has a purpose for making young people Nigerians at this time.
Also speaking was the head of the diocese, Reverend Eva Azodo, who emphasized the need for decent role models for young people.
He said the purpose of the conference was to connect teenagers and young people in general with honorable role models.
“We wanted to bring together people who have achieved what they have achieved in life through hard work and integrity, so that people can see in them that through hard work and honest effort and integrity, they can succeed.” I want people to know that,” the pastor said. .
“That’s what it’s about, you see the former Cross River governor.
“We have brought in Kenneth Ojioma, one of the best clergymen in the RCCG, and if you look at that 15-year-old boy Damilado Adepegba, you can see that he is talented, but he is not very good at what he has. We have worked hard to achieve what is the purpose of this conference.
“You don’t have to be a deviant to be a role model. You run around half naked, you wear all kinds of clothes. You don’t have to be a deviant just because you’re successful.”
