By Etop Ekanem
LAGOS—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that leadership in Nigeria is characterised by culture of indiscipline, indecency and corruption among other vices, adding that the country will never achieve its full potentials in terms of human and material resources until the nation’s leaders return to the part of integrity.
Comrade Oshiomhole spoke at the Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, Founders’ Day celebration second annual lecture entitled: Raising leaders of integrity, in Lagos, yesterday.
Oshiomhole, who was represented by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Deacon Pally Iriase, said one of the problems in Nigeria today was that there are many leaders who lack integrity.
According o him, “A major challenge in the country at the moment is for leaders in position of authority to deliver good governance. When leaders lack integrity, it is almost impossible to ensure good governance. Good governance entails respect for and protection of human rights (including social and economic rights) and sound public policies to solve the problems confronting the people.
He said Nigeria is far from what and where we want it to be, in terms of quality of leadership and all important development indices, adding: “The reason for this is because we have for long elevated mediocres, even substandard men and methods, to position of leadership. We feel let down by integrity lapses n our leaders because we expect so much of them: we want them to improve the fundamental quality of our lives.”
The governor noted that he approach to leadership had distinct goals and its purpose was to increase in “su the love of God and neighbour with a view to realising the kingdom of God on earth. This requires the raising of the faithful and empowering them to assume leadership positions, to give example of Christian virtues.”
He said there was an urgent need for awareness-raising campaigns that draw attention to the everyday consequences of poor leadership, adding that “this increased awareness is vital for success, and the mobilisation of young people is especially crucial in this regard.
Also speaking, Acting Governor of Delta State, Prof Amos Utuama, said the topic for this year’s lecture was appropriate because of “our search for good leadership. Without a leader, our vision will be blurred. Without a leader, we cannot be where we want to be in year 2020.”
Prof Utuama who represented the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is on annual vacation commended the founding fathers of the BSN, saying they were men of foresight who were close to God.
The Bible Society of Nigeria used the occasion to honour the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) with Selfless Service to God and Humanity award. Gowon who is the Patron of the BSN, thanked the organisation for the honour bestowed on him.
On the controversy surrounding the ill-health of President Umaru Yar’Adua, Gowon said Nigerians should pray for the recovery of the President so that he could come back and continue with his job.
We hope he will use his present position to influence others into good governship. Let him be a shining example to others and they will follow. We are used to talk and no action, deceit and Nigeria style of diplomacy. May God help him to live by his words in Jesus name .Amern
The Bible Society of Nigeria used the occasion to honour the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) with Selfless Service to God and Humanity award. Gowon who is the Patron of the BSN, thanked the organisation for the honour bestowed on him.
I guess most Nigerians have no idea nor care how some of us Ndigbo feel about Gowon. It is christians who are honouring him – I am amazed and still believe in God Almighty may be different from the christians of the bible society.
Oshiomhole, go and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of edo state.
You do not have any moral justification be be giving lectures up and down. Fashola should be doing that but still, he has no time for talks without action.
Oshiomhle, you are no longer a labor leader but a state governor
Hear this pretender talking. Shame on Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. You created N14 billion debt in Edo State for just one year. Selective due process and rule of Law when it suit you. Praying for a dead man. Supporting financial terrorists. All these are cooruption of the highest order. Stop the deceit, please.
There is always moral justifications for those who leave their footprints on the sands of time. To be ethically minded begins with the fear of God and the love for your fellow human beings. There is devil living in every soul but depends on how you allow it to manipulate your actions. Prof. Akuyilli has shown a good example of ethical behavior among men, who could not stand to face the facts.
The worst is that a very bad precedence has been set by Yar’Adua’s administration. So any President from another part of the country can be sick in the future and no one will have any say. We are watching and waiting when that will happen to see the reactions of our northern brothers.
Yar’Adua Will Return Next Week – Cousin
Written by Mansur Sani Malam, Kano
Sunday, 07 February 2010 18:37
President Umar Musa Yar’Adua is expected to return to the country early next week when he would have fully recovered from his illness.
This was disclosed yesterday to news men by the first cousin to the President, Hon. Zubairu Aliyu Gafai, during a special prayer for the President organised by Traders in Kano under the auspices of National Harmonised Traders Union held at Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani Jumu’at Mosque, Kofar Mata.
The sickness of the President which stirred agitations from some quarters that Vice President Good Luck Jonathan must be sworn-in as acting president may be put to rest as the Yar’Adua family confirmed his return to the country to resume his duties as president.
Alhaji Zubairu Aliyu Gafai, a former member of Katsina State House of Assembly, explained that they were in Kano as a result of invitation sent to them by the traders in respect to the prayers for the President’s, saying Umar Musa Yar’Adua has recovered from his sickness.
He prayed the Almighty God to give the President permanent recovery so that he can function effective services to the nation.
On call by some people for the President to hand over power to his deputy due to his health condition, Gafai said ” this set of people should know that sickness, health and all other vital things that make one to survive are strictly the attributes of God Almighty and that he gives it to whom he likes.
At a crucial moment likethis, Nigerians at all levels should pray for the quick recovery of the President instead of engaging in conspiratorial attitudes, all in an effort to remove the President from power; this will not auger well for the nation and its peaceful coexistence”, h e added.
Earlier , President of the National Harmonised Traders Union, Dr. Bature Abdul’Aziz, said they decided to organise the special prayer because the sick man is the President of Nigeria and the best idea for every good citizen is to pray for the survival of his leaders, so that his country will grow to greater heights.
Alhaji Abdul’Aziz noted that President Yar’Adua has also reviewed some of the problems that continue to face tbusinessesmen, especially, the Nigerians traders whose goods are been apprehended by men of the Nigerian Customs.
He addede that President Yar’Adua has approved the release of N100 billon Textile Fund
LONG LIVE COMRADE!!!!
stop press…could someone remind oshiomole that he is also a leader!
No time for regret. All the wrong steps taking by our leaders is intentional to increase poverty and make the cabal rule the country forever.
However human being mistake and forget the overall judgement of GOD.
There will be gnashing and nashing of teeth and it may too late if we continue to look like fools which we are not.
So let us rise up to save our Nation and start the good time to roll.
corruption of the mind is also very dangerous for our leaders,seeing the truth and not saying it,the labour union you left is a shadow of itself,if it was your days as a labour president you could have been calling on this our exile president to resign,but as a gov.your singing a different song,this is also corruption.yar adua send our hero RIBADU and NASIR on exile and your praying for him to come alive,anyway you prefare him to live while nigeria dies while the opposite surpose to be the case,incaise he even come back,with which mouth will he use to talk to us about due prosess and rule of law??