OWERRI – Renowned Professor of Economics, University of Chicago USA, and a Fellow of the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Professor James Robinson, has challenged the Federal Government to take stronger proactive measures to enhance its security architecture, accelerate the provision of infrastructures including electricity and public service.
Robinson, a Briton and Nobel Laureates, argued that the wobbling nature of the economies of African nations could be addressed with the installation of reliable and dependable security networks which, according to him, would inwardly usher in a conducive environment for businesses, commerce and industry to thrive.
Robinson, also a visiting professor at the UNN, stated this while speaking with newsmen at a brief but colourful reception ceremony organized in his honour by one of the prominent illustrious sons of the Umuchieze Ihitte Afoukwu Community in the Ahiazu Mbaise council area of Imo state, Professor Chima Korieh, and his family.
Prof Robinson, who is also a Research Fellow, however, hailed Nigeria for her giant strides in sustaining and deepening democratic governance for 27 unbroken years, but called for proactive measures to tackle corruption, which he said had become a cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progressive governance.
On the nation’s education-system, Robinson – a Winner of the 2024 Noble Prize in Economics and a holder of a prestigious chieftaincy tittle of ‘Nwanne Di Na Mba’ of Umuchieze earlier bestowed on him by HRH Eze Enyeribe Onuoha in 2022, described it as healthy but advised the operators to create opportunities that could liberate more people from their shackles of illiteracy, squalor and destitution.
Chima Korieh, a Professor of History in Nigeria, Igbo History and lecturer at Marquette University, USA, recalled his age-long robust relationship with Robinson which he said manifested copiously in research and collaborative works in Eastern Nigeria over the years.
Korieh said, “In 2024, he won a Noble Prize in Economics by the Noble Committee in Sweden and I felt like celebrating him in my community and to enjoin my people to join me in celebrating him. He has been part and parcel of my community for seven years now and has even bagged a chieftaincy title in the community.”
Korieh, an indigene of Umuagu kindred in Umuokehi, Umudionu Umuchieze Community, called for effective restoration of the teaching and learning of History in the nation’s school system, warning that a society without history is doomed to perish.
“Without history, he said, how can you know and understand where you are going or where you have made mistakes?
Korieh said further, “Again, it is important to know what is included and excluded because every history is political and because it is written from the perspective of those who write it.”
He hailed Prof. Robinson as a brilliant scholar and a humanitarian who loves people. The ceremony featured cultural dance by women and children as well as drama.
