[dropcap]P[/dropcap]roject 45 held her maiden INAUGURAL MEMORIAL LECTURE FOR DR BOLAJI AREMU RASHEED CAREW in Orchid Hotels, Lagos.The inaugural edition of the lecture inaugurated to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Carew, an erudite and foremost scholar, who served as Provost at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, and Lagos from June, 1991 to June, 1998. Praising the late Provost, the National President of the Project 45, Chief Charles Okonkwo said that we are here to celebrate a man whose passion for youths development and empowerment was commendable.Chief Okonkwo stated: “Dr. Carew throughout his lifetime fought tirelessly for equality, dignity and justice and he would continue our hearts and that of all those who were fortunate to have come in contact with him.“We as his disciples will remain fully committed to his vision and all Dr. Carew espoused, starting from doing more to help in promoting the rule of law.”
“Project 45” is a body of professionals worldwide who wants to make a difference in the society with the view of affecting fellow Nigerians in a positive way. Education is a necessary tool to the development of a Nation’s economy and establishment of educational institutions support and commitment.According to Chief Charles Okonkwo, he said that “Project 45” has build a positive rewarding association.A stride that have in several ways helped in grooming a society of highly disciplined group of decent gentlemen. A stride that was cultivated in 1972 with just a handful of selective youths, and today they have expanded cross the six continents of the world.This group is also partnering with National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons(NAPTIP)and other organisations within and outside Nigeria to fight these menace of human trafficking which has further extended to other organs of trafficking in Nigeria and championing the campaign against terrorism by mobilizing fellow Nigerians from all strata of the society to support our Our Troops Against Terrorism (SOTAT).
A member of the group and Keynote Speaker for the event, the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Ojo, Prof Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun; Ph.D., speaking on the theme: ‘Promoting the Rule of Law in Nigeria: The Role of Institutions’, noted that although corruption is a common feature in developed climes, the structures established by their governments makes sure that perpetrators are punished for their crimes.
The Professor of Law laments that: “Every political landscape will be confronted with this (Corruption) and like what is obtainable in other climes, Nigeria is lacking in laws to berth institutional governance, but what saddens me is that our public institutions which are supposed to serve as checks and balances on public officers and leaders who act in error or abuse offices wittingly or unwittingly are not able to live up to expectation.”
Dr. Christopher Okeke, who served as a member of the panel of discussants that considered Prof. Fagbohun’s speech, added that “The first this country “Nigeria needs is upholding the principles of separation of powers, because the country as it were looks like it is being run like a dictatorship state. We must change the way we do things, beginning from making sure that everyone is held to the same standards at all time.” Bar. Patrick Etim, a member of the group and panelist, on his part stressed that “there cannot be strong institutions unless the people (Nigerians) themselves are ready to change. In Nigeria we are held back by religious sentiments, political sentiments and all other types of sentiments and until this orientation changes we will not make any meaningful progress.” This great lectures was anchored(MC) by a Celebrity and Actor Keppy Ekpenyong who is also a key member of this “Project 45”.
The group in conclusion urged the Federal Government Government to expedite action on this beginning the process by teaching the next generation and also called on the Federal Government to build strong institutions ,if it must succeed with its current anti-corruption drive.
The Orchid Hotels, Lagos, venue of the event was literally shot down as huge crowd made their way, to the venue to behold the INAUGURAL MEMORIAL LECTURE FOR DR BOLAJI AREMU RASHEED CAREW spectacle, and catch some fun, there was plenty to drink and eat, it was all glamour and show of opulence. An estimate of about one thousand guest graced the occasion, some dignitaries that attended the event are Chief Austin Izagbo (Ide of Ibusa), Prof Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun,The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Ojo,Dr. Christopher Okeke and other dignitaries