Economic policy expert and former Vice President of the World Banks, African Region, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has said that African is in dire need of a political system and culture that will engender economic prosperity of citizens.
In a lead paper presentation at the 2023 International Hybrid Conference organised by UNIZIK Business School, Awka, Dr. Ezekwesili, a former Nigerian Minister of Education, regretted that the dominant mindset of African political leaders negates common good of the citizens, reason she noted the continent is still lagging behind.
She, however, recommended competitive politics to help in achieving human capital development in the region, in addition to other reforms that include implementation of sound policies, strengthening of institutions, as well as focusing on quality investments that guarantee human capital development.
Also in his keynote speech, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, represented by Professor Charles Obiora, affirmed that a peaceful political transition guarantees enhanced development that ensures that people feel the impact of democracy, and called on African leaders to make equity and accountability their watchwords in all policies and implementation actions.
Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, represented by former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Frederick Odibo, noted that many African countries have passed through political transitions from colonialism to independence long enough to have broken the yoke of underdevelopment, expressing hope that the conference would help open new insights towards tackling the Nigerian and African challenge.
Also in their remarks, the host and Director of UNIZIK Business School, Professor Emma Okoye, and the Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Management, Venerable Professor Anayo Nkamnebe, said international discourse of this nature stimulates critical thinking that helps drive development, expressing hope that a blueprint will be generated at the end of the conference to inform policies that will improve governance. 
Speaking on how economic policies affect lives and businesses in Nigeria and African region at large, the Chief Executive Officer of Chikason Group, Dr. Chika Okafor; who received “Dynamic Enterprenueral Award”, former National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Charles Odunukwe; who received “Dynamic Enterpreneur of Excellence” award, and former President of
Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Professor Benjamin Osisioma;
who received “Distinguished Academic Leadership Award” said the conference is a wake-up call for leaders be people-oriented in their development actions in order to meet the yearnings of the masses, regretting that Africa remains the only continent where people are desperate to migrate from their godgiven land.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, represented by Professor Sam Omenyi, said the theme of the conference, “Political transition and economic development: the African perspective”, is apt, especially now that there are changes in political leadership in states of African nations.
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