By Lawrence Agbo

Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi has explained that Nigeria’s fortunes can change for the better if people of character are in positions of authority.

The professor, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, said the country has the human capital required to achieve greatness.

“Ultimately, values shape human progress. When we have values and people of character and commitment to service are in positions of public authority, our country will turn around,” Utomi said on the programme.

“We have the ingredients, the human capital that it takes to show the way.”

Utomi criticised the loss of Nigerian values and customs, attributing it to the breakdown of the nation’s institutions.

He stated that without robust institutions, such as the court and the electoral body, no nation can advance significantly.

“The biggest challenge we have is that culture is in collapse in Nigeria, values shape human progress. How do we get a values revolution? Institutions are critical for human progress if we can commit to building stronger institutions that push back on people who do not do right and the rule of law is fully in place.

“Look at our judiciary, it is a laughing stock – no country can make real progress without a judiciary that you can rely on. Look at our other institutions, whether it is INEC or others; they are weak.

“How do we ensure that we have strong institutions and that we have values that ensure that character matters and that people of character can show a light? We can do it, I am absolutely confident because I have seen it happen in human history,” he said.

Additionally, Utomi claimed that young Nigerians were contributing to the nation’s woes by helping to elect dishonest leaders. He asserted that when leaders replace nepotism with competence, the nation will prosper.