Ibukun Awosika Praises Fashola’s book

Nigerian business woman, motivational speaker and author, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika has praised the book titled “Nigerian Public Discourse: The Interplay of Empirical Evidence and Hyperbole” authored by the former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

In her speech on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Eko Hotels, Lagos during the public presentation of the book, Awosika said: “I tell you one thing that is clear to me: First, the courage to raise the issues. But I have known him (Babatunde Raji Fashola) since we were kids. So, I am not surprised he could do that, and also a few people that have the integrity and character, to have the courage to raise the issues and expect them to be taken seriously.

“However, having read through the book, one thing that I am grateful for is that the (panel) discussants are from the generation that is 70 per cent of this nation. So, it’s their problem – in many ways, because they have much longer time to live with the issues that we are discussing.

Awosika pointed out the need for the conversation to continue beyond the publication of the book. “For us to have the real conversation, I think that the book the author has written is just the seed to start the trouble. That’s what it is. It’s just to call everyone’s attention to the issue. But I think your work (Fasola) has only just started, because the real work is what you do with it going forward.

“It’s not just to publish the book and raise those issues. We will all take the book home. Some will never read it; it will be on their bookshelves. Some will read it and keep it aside as usual; nothing will happen.

“But if we are all serious about rebuilding the future for a nation that deserves something better than it is, based on what it has, then we do owe it to ourselves and to our generation to have a real discourse, because all the problems that plague us are not insurmountable. They look like they are impossible, but they are not.

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“If we are honest with ourselves and we have the courage to face the truth and to pay the price of facing the truth – because in a nation where trust deficit is at the highest, you get punished for speaking the truth or for doing the right thing – you must have the strength of character to stand for the right. So, what must we do, going forward?

“One of the things that happens is like the platform that is organized by the church consistently every year. But guess what? Once-a-year is not enough for our problems. So, if we really want to talk about these issues, this has to translate from a book to an event. Whether it is a virtual or physical event that goes on six times every month – as long as it takes us to get as many Nigerians into comprehending truthfully the real issues at stake.

“And in those conversations, to provide all of those data and information that we say is missing or misrepresented or mis-applied, because the truth is, educated and enlightened electorate is the most powerful asset for a democratic nation to be successful.

She also spoke about the need to break down the content of in a way ordinary people will understand it. “We already have a problem with education, because a lot of people are not educated, and a lot of people have also gone to school but are not yet educated. A lot of people cannot comprehend the issues, and except you break it down into ABC for them, and interpret the issues the way they can relate it to their lives, they cannot begin to understand that your actions are for them and not against them.

“So, your Excellency, Mr. Governor, Mr. Minster, Mr. Author. Your titles are plenty…. Your real task is to find the hands to join with you and turn this into the real national public discourse.

“Your book has set an agenda. But honestly, the only way the value the book intends to activate for the benefit of the nation is that you move from the book to where somebody in the village, by the radio, somebody sitting somewhere, someone on the social media at the farthest end of the world, can connect to the conversation. And after each month the people still discuss what was discussed last month by the time we get to the next month. Maybe when we get to month hundred, we will get a changed nation.”

Panel discussion

There was also a panel discussion by Tolu Ogulesi, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie anchored by Terfa.

According to Tolu Ogulesi, information is the foundation of any democracy. Developed countries have data regarding everything in their countries (e.g., insecurity) unlike in Nigeria where information is unspecific due to lack of data. He said the information we have here about insecurity, for instance, is based on “emotions”.

Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie said although data is important, but she doesn’t think that data is the most important thing, because you can’t successfully transmit that data without trust. Data doesn’t necessarily represent the truth. There is intellectual dishonesty. Politicians and businesses also pay social media influencers to spread misinformation. Data is important, but it’s not the most important thing.

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On leaders treating people as if the people are beneath them, Adesuwa said it’s okay at homes, churches, and offices, but when it comes to public service, public officials need to come down from their high horses.

Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji expressed surprise the way our public officials like governors vigorously respond to Artificial Intelligence-posted information on the social media. If we do not educate our people, she said, we cannot AI ourselves out of poverty.

Dignitaries at the event include the Chief of Staff to the President of the Federation, Femi Gbajabiamila who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the author of the book, Babatunde Raji Fashola, his wife, traditional rulers and many others.