He stated, “Undoubtedly, and as several international reports confirm, poverty continues to be the preeminent challenge of Nigeria’s socio-political formation. It is not that alone, what is perhaps more worrying is that the situation is likely to be unchanged for another generation, in spite of the bold declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari in his May inauguration day speech that his administration will lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years”.

Olukotun urged the government at all levels to come up with policies that would deliberately and desperately tackle corruption as well as creating jobs. He said, “we must imagine and plan for an economy and society beyond oil. It is a pity that we are still spending huge sums of money to prospect for oil in a season where that resource is far from being a game changer in economic terms. It would be sad if current developments accelerate to a crescendo, at a time when we are still fixated on the magic of oil. At any rate, if Nigeria never had oil, or never entered into an oil-powered economy, who knows whether its economy will have expanded in more orderly and fulfilling ways than it did”.

In charting a way forward, Olukotun suggested, “Agriculture can become a mainstay especially when you consider what a country like Israel with its rugged terrain and dessert location has done with it. If properly managed, it can spin off an alternative agro-industrial economy with a value chain capable of transforming rustic communities, reduce the income gap and the quality of life between rural and urban centres. Similarly, solid minerals and digital technology, which are already being undertaken in the informal sector are possible avenue for rechanneling the productive energies of our youths and even older citizens”.

Other discussants at the roundtable lecture were former Chairperson of First Bank, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman of Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, Professor Tunji Olaopa, Director of BudgiT, Seun Onigbinde, a senior pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, Poju Oyemade and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

At the occasion were APC Leader, Chief Bisi Akande, the nation’s Vice President’s wife, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the celebrant, Florence Ajimobi, Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and his wife, Erelu Bisi, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, former Governors of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, first female Minister of Industry, Mrs. Onikepo Akande, Feyisetan Fayose, wife of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, Minister of Health, State, Adeleke Olurunnimbe Mamora, Minister of State, Professor Tunji Olaopa and General Alani Akinrinade (rtd). Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.