“The future lies in the past” is phrase that may seem a little counterintuitive at first glance. How can we build a better future by looking backwards ? But as you examine this concept more closely, it becomes evident that there is a great deal of truth to the assertion that the past can provide us with lessons, insights, and inspiration that we can utilize to shape a better future.
The assertion formed the foundation of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s keynote speech at the maiden Dr. Michael Ọkpara Memorial Lecture. Dr Ọkpara was the charismatic premier of the then Eastern Nigeria. Governor Soludo believes that the reinvention of Nigeria’s glorious past which had the likes of Dr. M.I Ọkpara and his ideals, remains the foundation of the country’s future. He emphasized that the seeming ill-preparedness of Nigeria for the opportunities and threats of the future kept the nation on its belly over the years, as such “developing backwards”
For Governor Soludo, dusting up the ideals and visions of the leadership of the country’s founding fathers is the way forward for Nigeria and Africa.
During the premiership of Dr. Ọkpara, the Eastern region developed evenly. Using the tripod of agriculture, industry and commerce, as a Nationalist and humanist with character for self-service and policy entrepreneurship, Dr Ọkpara distinguished the region to be reputed as having the fastest growing economies in the country. Similar ideologies triggered economic growth and regional competitiveness across the country during the era. Thus, it becomes necessary that the country looks backwards to those glorious days and identify the enablers that made them possible and reinvent them to withstand contemporary challenges.
For instance, , by studying how the likes Dr. Ọkpara dealt with issues like economic inequality, environmental degradation, or political instability, we can gain a better understanding of what approaches have worked and what have not, and use this knowledge to shape policies and strategies for the future. The inability to learn from their victories and mistakes will only keep the country in a revolving door of underdevelopment.
Also, our cultural heritage and traditions provide us with a sense of identity and continuity. By celebrating and preserving our shared history, art, and literature, we can create a sense of connection across generations and promote the values and ideals that have guided humanity for centuries. During the lecture, Governor Soludo recalled the old-time values and moral standards that seems to have been eroded today. Therefore, a recourse will help to ensure that our sense of development is embedded in our core values and philosophies.
These are why Governor Soludo found a role model in Dr Ọkpara and describes leadership style as augmented “Okparanomics”. This is obvious in his revival of the palm and coconut revolution. This policy has seen to the distribution of high-yield coconut and palm oil seedlings to not less than one million Ndị Anambra annually. Ultimately, it is expected to create an ecosystem that births new industries, employments, and becomes a foreign exchange earner. Oil palm farming used to be the economic mainstay in the old Eastern region, under Dr. Ọkpara. Already, Anambra is being rightly positioned to reclaim that position highlighting the message of hope and economic boom prosperity while emphasizing the possibility that the past can be reinvented for better results.
The axiom that the future lies in the past is apt because the lessons, insights, and inspiration that we can derive from our shared history can help us build a better tomorrow. By studying the patterns and trends of the past, celebrating our cultural heritage, and drawing inspiration from the struggles and triumphs of historical figures, we can create a more connected, informed, and inspired society that is better equipped to face the challenges of the future. The summary of Governor Soludo’s call is that while we should always strive to become innovative and forward-thinking, we should not forget the wisdom and knowledge that have been accumulated in our journey of collective nationhood because it is this wealth of experience that can guide us towards a more hopeful prosperous today and tomorrow.
Written by EJIKE ABANA
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