Matthew Kukah, Ezekwesili task FG welfare

Dr Matthew Kukah, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has called on the government to focus on the welfare of the people to deepen democracy in the country. He made the call at a symposium organised

to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of Gov. Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday in Benin.

The lecture was entitled, "Deepening Democracy and Enhancing Public Welfare"'.

Kukah said that democracy should revolve around Abraham Maslow's principle of needs and incentives which sought to satisfy the needs of the citizens as they arose and in terms of priority.

He also advised Nigerians to live as one, adding that the nation belonged "to every Nigerian".

"If we wish for others what we wish ourselves, this country will be a better place,'' the bishop said.

Also speaking, Dr Obi Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, called on government to improve the lives of the citizens.

''The whole idea of governance is to predominately improve on the lives of the people,'' she said.

Ezekwesili noted that engagement of the citizens in governance would go a long way in deepening the country's democracy.

She also called for reviving of manufacturing industries as a way of diversifying the nation's economy.

According to her, making the oil sector the mainstay of the economy has weakened the economy of the country.