Cultivating Good Leaders for Nation Building

Solomon Olali-Igabo writes this piece titled Cultivating Good Leaders for Nation Building.

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One of the finest military leaders Nigeria has ever produced was Late General Murtala Mohamed, who was cut short in a coup led by Lt. Col. B.S Dimka in 13th February 1976.

Late General Mohammed as Head of State promised Nigeria that his government will not tolerate indiscipline. His government will not tolerate abuse of power. His sudden assassination by dissident groups cut short his dream and expectation which thrown the country into mourning or grief at the time.

Sadly, tribalism, nepotism, favouritism, greed and corruption have threatened peace, harmony and security in Nigeria. These evils are manifested in the economic and social life of the country.

Politically, Nigeria is drifting from bad to worst. Economically bartered and depressed as many Nigerians dying in silence others groaning in pains and hardship. Nigeria as a nation with political, economic and social challenges from the family, community and state levels.

Unfortunately, this day, leaders who are selfless or willing to make sacrifice for the good of the people are not found in the corridors of power. Insensitive and clueless leaders are in position of authority bring suffering to the people.

The leaders of tomorrow are being mortgaged and the get rich quick syndrome among the youths is the order of the day. Evidently, nation destroyers, looters, money bag politicians, ethnicity, religious bigotry and greed manifesting everywhere in the polity.

Nigeria is in a precarious situation and who will bail the cat? Leadership in all facets of life is passing through integrity and character test. Cost of living is biting harder and tougher than ever without solution to the problem or challenges. Political leaders think more for themselves than the general welfare of the citizenry.

Which way Nigeria? Yahoo boys and girls are parading freely and cruising with flashy Camry cars without questioning by the security agents or personnel portend danger for the nation. The increasing social vices is alarming and worrisome.

Nigeria needs smart leaders with sound mind and not leaders with dead conscience without the feeling of the poor masses.

We need nation builders aimed at unifying the people within the state and nation so that it remains politically stable and viable. Nation building in constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state for the good of all and not self-seekers.

Occasionally, some law enforcement agencies are carried away with their privileged position to intimidate, harass, or even exploit the less privileged in the society.

Some citizens are wrongfully arrested without cogent reason or crime committed yet are forced to bail with huge amount of money for offence they know nothing about by overzealous law enforcement personnel. Nigeria is like animal farm where the predators prey on the weaker animals. What a country!

Similarly, the judiciary is also facing an integrity problem from being the last hope of the common man to carrier of money bags or heavy booty. Is the judiciary now the last bastion of the criminally rich? Justice in the land has become for sale to the highest bidder. The innocent becomes guilty and the guilty innocent.

The power sector is also corrupt as was revealed by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). What is the State and National Assemblies (Law-markers) doing to uplift the standard of living of ordinary Nigerians?

How can we grow as a nation under this condition?

It would be recalled that on the 4th of November, 2024, personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested some drug suspects at a guest house along the Yenagoa/Mbiama Road. One of the arrested passerby suspect was however innocent and was taken to NDLEA base at Okaka Housing Estate along the Sani Abacha Express way in Yenagoa. The victim was beaten white and blue was later vindicated and tested negative.

The victim spent N20,000.00 for drug test and N60,000.00 was extorted from him as bail condition.

What is the justification of the NDLEA for the blood test and bail levelled on the victim? Nigerians robbing on fellow Nigerians with impunity? Is Nigeria a cannibal state or country?

The likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tony Enawaro, Tafawa Bellow, Amino Kano, Shehu Shagari, Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Ikoli amongst others of blessed memories were nationalists and patriots who fought for the unity and progress of Nigeria and must be sustained.

It is high time Nigerians especially the political class should start cultivating good and patriotic leaders for nation building rather than destroying it.

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Tags: Leadership