Alhaji Mohammed Hayatudeen, a distinguished technocrat and former
Group Managing Director of the New Nigeria Development Company (NDDC), has called for the prioritization of strong institutions, production over consumption and trust-building as fundamental pillars for Nigeria’s national greatness.
Hayatudeen’s remarks were made during the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Independent Newspapers, where he served as the Guest of Honour at the Silver Jubilee Awards Ceremony in Lagos.
Hayatudeen lauded Independent Newspapers for its remarkable resilience and professionalism over the past quarter-century, describing its survival and growth as a triumph beyond mere business success.
He emphasized the newspaper’s crucial role in chronicling and shaping Nigeria’s history by upholding the press’s enduring responsibility to inform, question, and hold power accountable without fear or favor, even amidst the complexities of the digital media landscape.
During the event, Hayatudeen presented awards to individuals recognized as
“game changers” who have redefined standards across business, public service, and social impact.
He articulated that a true game changer not only alters the trajectory of their
fields but also “breaks barriers so that others may walk through.”
Connecting the celebration to Nigeria’s broader developmental aspirations, Hayatudeen outlined three critical pillars for national greatness: the supremacy of strong institutions over strong individuals, the prioritization of production over consumption, and the
cultivation of trust as the bedrock of governance and societal progress.
He stressed that robust institutions are vital for sustained progress beyond individual personalities, while a productive economy, fueled by innovation and human capital development, is essential for long-term prosperity.
Furthermore, he highlighted that trust, cultivated through consistency, accountability, and fairness, is indispensable for effective governance, thriving markets, and national cohesion.
Hayatudeen, renowned for his success in turning around public and private enterprises, underscored the media’s pivotal role in fostering and maintaining this trust, characterizing journalism as the “lifeblood of democracy” and an indispensable mechanism for accountability.
He urged Independent Newspapers and the wider media community to consistently uphold the highest standards of independence and integrity,
asserting that public trust remains their most invaluable asset.
He concluded by affirming that Nigeria’s challenge is not a deficit of potential but rather the imperative to consistently align its human and institutional resources toward a unified national purpose.
