TheNewsGuru

Tag: Leaders

  • Nigeria: A nation without leaders by Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie

    Nigeria: A nation without leaders by Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie

    When a nation is in turmoil, those who have faith in God must pray. Given clear indices that Nigeria is in turmoil, we pray: Gracious God, grant that our leaders become wise, and the wise become our leaders. But it would be irresponsible fideism to simply pray and fold our arms. Those who pray must think, and, having sought and obtained answers to right questions, they must act intelligently.

    As Nigeria passes from one turbulent season to another, it has become inescapable to inquire: what is the quality of leaders – of the men and women at the helm of affairs – in our beloved Nigeria? Can it be said that those at the helm of affairs – at federal, state, and local levels of government – are sufficiently competent to navigate the ship of state? Do our leaders fit the bill?

    Some indices

    The high level of insecurity in our land; the abysmally low quality of life of the average Nigerian, in scandalously sharp contrast with the opulence in which past and political office holders live; the self-serving and malevolent demagoguery that accompanies unitarist, secessionist, and xenophobic agitations in our country; the propagation of the stubborn myth that one’s ethnic community is marginalised by all other ethnic communities, when in fact, every ethnic community is marginalised by the incompetence of our leaders; the acceptance of this myth by young, discontented but gullible Nigerians: these and many other indices offer little or no hope to even the most incurable optimist in the land.

    Our kind of leaders

    Instead of devoting their mental and physical capacities to governance, our leaders are seeking their own interests. Nigerians bear the excruciating burden of being ruled by politicians who simply care less about Nigerians. The burden is increased when they have to listen to religious leaders who whip up emotions and deceive by using the name of God, claiming visions and miracles. We do not care about our legacy, we care only about the power we wield, the wealth – often ill-gotten – we display, and above all, the pleasure and affluence we seek.

    What do we make of a country where an individual owns a fleet of private jets while an overwhelming percentage of its citizens cannot afford a bus ride to the market? What do we make of a country where the wealth of the land, wealth that belongs to the people and not to government, is used to provide security for government officials, while there is no security for the average man or woman in the street?

    We have the police and the military; we have assorted security agencies with exotic names. Yet, Nigerians are robbed and murdered in their homes, abducted on the streets, at the mercy of gangsters, ritualists and cultists in their neighbourhood, while the police are helpless to the point of non-existence. The only sign that there is policing is when policemen and women extort money from Nigerians, often at gun point.

    Our security agencies need to get the sequence of their steps right. Thorough investigation must precede an arrest and diligent prosecution with evidence must come before conviction in a lawfully constituted court. That is what obtains in other climes. But, in our own Nigeria, media trial is fashionable. Suspects are paraded on prime-time television, guns and bullets are displayed in front of them, the police spokesman presents them to Nigerians and pronounces them guilty in front of television cameras. Case closed. Nigerians are not asking for any follow-up. They hear of no trial, no conviction, no sentencing. What has happened to numerous suspects paraded on television in this country?

    While we seek answers, to that question, we note that, from time to time, Amnesty International (AI) raises alarm about extra-judicial killings in Nigeria. Are Nigerians satisfied with the response of the police? Why is it that once suspects are paraded and presented as guilty – and the legal and moral propriety of the parade is another bone of contention – we very rarely see them in court? Is there no law that says a suspect must be charged to court within 48 hours? Why then are suspects kept for days and weeks and months without trial?

    It is in the same vein that we must ask: what has happened to so many public office holders pronounced guilty by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Commission) and DSS (Department of State Services) in the media before they were even charged to court? We know that some of them were set free by the law courts. We also know that government reacts with a familiar refrain: “corruption is fighting back”. But is there no correlation between the quality of investigation and prosecution on the one hand, and the verdict given by our judges on the other hand?

    A thief is a thief. If you apprehend him red-handed but fail to provide evidence in court to lead to his conviction, do not camouflage the incompetence of your team of investigators and prosecutors by blaming the unfavourable outcome of the case on corrupt judges. We are not to hold brief for any judge. But we must bear this in mind: The onus of proof is on the accuser, not on the accused. That is why the accused is innocent until proven guilty. Whether he is accused of kidnapping the citizen or of kidnapping public funds, as is the case with those who have stolen the wealth of this country, thorough investigation must precede diligent prosecution. To violate this principle is to bid farewell to security of life, property and reputation. It is to receive a resounding defeat in the much-publicised war against corruption. It is to live in a country where die-hard criminals get away with murder while the innocent gets convicted. He is convicted, not because he has been found guilty, but because – thanks to media trial – he has been demonised and made to look guilty. It is to give the dog a bad name and hang him.

    But when criminals are properly investigated we would be in a position to prevent crime. Where we do not prevent crime, life and property are not safe. Where life and property are not safe, investments are not safe. Investors take to their heels and vote with their capital. Where there are no investments, the quality of life of citizens takes a plunge; their abject poverty breeds discontent and anger, insecurity, secessionist and xenophobic tendencies.

    Finally

    Precisely for these reasons, this country is in very urgent need of quality leadership. Our situation cannot be addressed by an executive and a legislature locked in a recurrence of unprincipled and sterile conflicts. In more concrete terms, neither an ailing and absentee President nor an acting President can lead Nigeria out of the present situation. Nigerian leaders must wake up lest the ship of state sink. They must stop fiddling while the country is burning.

    So, we pray: Grant, O Lord, that our leaders become wise, and that the wise become our leaders. Amen.

     

  • We’ll resist plans by Yoruba leaders to make Osinbajo President – Northern groups

    We’ll resist plans by Yoruba leaders to make Osinbajo President – Northern groups

    A Coalition of Arewa Youths has alleged that some Yoruba leaders are plotting to make acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo President of the country in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari who is currently receiving treatment at a London hospital.

    The group, however, insisted that the North will complete its eight years tenure and resist any attempt to abort it.

    The warning was contained in a statement signed by Muhammed Shehu and Tanko Abdullahi.

    The group further revealed in the statement that the North ‘compensated’ the Yorubas by conceding the presidency to them (the Yorubas) in 1999 because of Abiola’s mandate which was annulled by the then Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB).

    It says despite all these efforts and much more, the Yorubas are beginning to ‘join forces’ with the Igbos by discrediting the person of President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 polls.

    The statement reads, “We are very much aware that all the attacks against President Muhammadu Buhari were planted in the media by the Yoruba and spread by southerners generally just to discredit the north in order to pave way for their son, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to become president.

    “But their plans will fail Insha Allah.

    “We shall resist every of such plans and ensure by all means possible, that the North completes its eight-year tenure and possibly even continue after then, and that the federal structure of Nigeria as it currently is, is not tampered with by secession mongers and their collaborators.”

    Describing Yoruba’s as the “most ungrateful stock in Nigeria,” the group said, “Having given power to the Yoruba on a platter of gold in 1999 as a way of compensating them for the June 12 saga, it is quite worrisome and unfortunate that they have lived up to their legendary reputation of backstabbing and betrayal by supporting the divisive calls for restructuring or dismemberment of the nation against the will and desire of the north.

    “We gave the late Chief MKO Abiola the mandate in 1993 but shortly after that, as it is with the Yoruba as a culture, they immediately started circling around Abiola plotting on how to emasculate the north and strip us of every access we had to the politics and economy of this nation.

    “They had also raised a secret army of their elites to carry out these sinister plans against the north if Abiola eventually became president. It was this army that was unleashed on the nation in the guise of NADECO during the June 12 impasse.

    “May we remind the Yoruba that without the willingness and magnanimity of the north, there was no way Abiola could have purportedly won that election and that all the Yoruba have now as assets in the south-west, especially Lagos, were given to them by our leaders out of our own usual magnanimity.

    “However, time and time again, the Yoruba have always turned their back on us whenever their support is needed. They have chosen to pitch tent with the Igbo this time around just to spite us, but we shall not succumb to their antics.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that recently, some prominent Northern youth associations after a joint meeting tagged ‘Kaduna Declaration’ issued a serious threat to Igbos residing in the region to vacate on or before October 1(Nigeria’s Independence Day) 2017 or face physical attacks.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that one of the major conveners of the meeting, Yerima Shettima has however promised to turn himself in when declared wanted by the security agencies.

  • Northern Quit Notice: Osinbajo meets leaders, vows to deal with those behind threats

    Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Nigerian government is ready to deal with persons who promote hate speech and divisive comments.

    Osinbajo stated this Tuesday while meeting with a cross section of leaders from northern Nigeria at the Aso Rock Villa Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports the meeting came after some prominent Northern youth associations on Tuesday after a joint meeting tagged ‘Kaduna Declaration’ issued a serious threat to Igbos residing in the region to vacate on or before October 1 (Nigeria’s Independence Day) 2017 or face physical attacks.

    Osinbajo said the government was determined to ensure the unity of Nigeria “along the lines of our constitution”.

    “And I want to say that hate and divisive speech or divisive behavior where it is illegal will be met with the full force of the law,” he said.

    The acting president added: “I want to ensure that there is no doubt at all that it is the resolve of the government that none will be allowed to get away with making speeches that can cause sedition or that can cause violence especially because when we make these kinds of pronouncement and do things that can cause violence or destruction of lives and property we are no longer in control.

    “Those who make those speeches are no longer in control.

    “So I want to emphasise that government will take very seriously any attempts to cause violence or disrupt the peace of this country and that is very important because you cannot control violence once it begins,” he said.

    He called on the northern leaders to take his message down to the people.

    He said Nigerians will continue to live together, adding, “as part of living together I know that misunderstandings and frustrations will always arise and people will always want to get the best part of the deal but we must be careful to recognize that we can only begin to talk about any part of anything if we are together in peace.

    “These days, wars do not end and I am sure that those who have seen or experienced war in any shape or form will not wish it on their worst enemies.”

    “This is not a time to retreat behind ethnic lines, moments like this are not for isolating ourselves, I want to urge all of us here and the entire Nigerian populace to come together and work together,” Osinbajo said.

    The acting president will also meet with leaders from the south east on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that those at the meeting include Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara, Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olanishakin, chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum and former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomasie, Ango Abdullahi, former governor of Sokoto State and current Senator, Aliyu Wamako, former deputy governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen, Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Ndah-Isaiah, Paul Unongo, as well as the Chairman Liberty Radio/Television, Tijjani Ramalan and the Editor in Chief of Daily Trust newspapers, Mannir Dan Ali among others.

  • Democracy Day: Nigeria parading bunch of corrupt, selfish people as leaders since 1999

    Former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarebe Musa has said those priviledged to occupy public positions in the country from 1999 to date are nothing but ‘a bunch of corrupt, selfish and irresponsible people.’

    The elder statesman said this on the sidelines of democracy day celebrations in Nigeria.

    The outspoken former governor noted that the country is yet to enjoy any tangible gain since the inception of democracy in 1999.

    “All that Nigerians have experienced from 1999 to date is a military dictatorship transferring power to a civilian dictatorship,” he explained to Daily Post in Kaduna.

    Asked about how democracy has fared in Nigeria, Balarabe said: “Where is the democracy you are talking about? Who is practicing democracy in Nigeria? Who is benefiting from democracy in Nigeria?

    “When the military handed over power to a military dictator and later handed over power to his chosen civilian dictator, is that democracy? And again the same military dictator is in power dictating to Nigerians what is to be done, and you call that democracy?”

    In this political dispensation, he explained, Nigerians are yet to test what democracy is all about, adding that, “Democracy in its true word has lost its value in the present political dispensation because we are being led by selfish and greedy people that call themselves politicians.”

    He noted that what Nigerians needed to do to free themselves from slavery was to embark on peaceful revolution in all spheres of life in the country with the view to ensuring that only people with patriotic and nationalistic belief be elected into elective positions to continue from the foundation laid by the founding fathers of the country.

    “What we consider as political leaders since 1999 to date are only but a bunch of corrupt, selfish and irresponsible people that do not have the interest of the country at heart, but only to enrich themselves to the detriment of all Nigerians,” he observed.

    Speaking on insecurity in Kaduna State and the Southern Kaduna in particular, Alhaji Balarebe Musa opined that its main cause was those in power who always cause conflict at a slightest provocation.

    The present administration in the state, he said, had failed to involve stakeholders in the state in exploring possible ways to ensuring peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups. “Failrue to carry every stakeholder along in arriving at critical decisions meant to ensure better understanding will continue to be wasteful efforts by the state government in its attempts to bring an end to the incessant crisis in the Southern part of the state.

    “There is poverty in the state, and unless this issue is urgently addressed, it may be a mirage to think of tackling insecurity in a situation where majority are roaming the streets aimlessly without any hope of tomorrow.

    “The fundamental issues that have become main source of concern in the state have to be addressed by the government of the day if it is thinking of making remarkable impact. True reconciliation must be seen to be made among the various ethnic groups, if not any coercive decision will not be in the interest of the majority.”

     

  • Invest in people, not politics, Dogara advises leaders

    Invest in people, not politics, Dogara advises leaders

    …says good leaders always think of next generation

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has implored political leaders at all levels to invest in the people rather than politics.

    Dogara, who spoke at the Government House, Owerri, during his visit to Governor Rochas Okorocha, said that mentoring people and investing in them were the surest ways of improving their lives and generating wealth. He also commended Okorocha for initiating and executing people oriented policies and programmes.

    He said, “To be candid, when we drove from the airport, the Speaker was showing me some of the landmark projects, I was surprised, I must confess that I’ve been to many states of the Federation, but I don’t think I’ve seen such primary schools anywhere. There are people who claim to have built such, but I haven’t seen one in the states I’ve been to, maybe I’ll still discover in the course of my stewardship.”

    “Apart from providing you with quality leadership, he’s investing in the next generation; that is what leaders do. Politicians don’t do that, politicians are always mindful of the elections, leaders are always mindful of the next generation. When you come in contact with real leaders even by accident, you know because they develop their people even in the rural communities, so that they can truly aspire to enjoy the proceeds of democracy which is the pursuit of happiness.”

    Dogara also urged Governor Rochas to invite captains of industry and other political leaders to the commissioning of projects in his state, so that other leaders may be inspired to replicate such projects.

    The Governor had earlier described Speaker Dogara as a long standing personal friend of his and the entire people of Imo state, and commended him for showing exemplary leadership in the green chamber.

    Dogara, who was accompanied by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Onyeama Chukwuka and other members of the House, was earlier received on arrival at the Airport by the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Acho Ihim.

  • Anti-graft war: Fear belongs to corrupt past leaders, Buhari replies Jonathan

    Anti-graft war: Fear belongs to corrupt past leaders, Buhari replies Jonathan

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday reacted to claims by former President Goodluck Jonathan that his (Buhari’s) administration was harassing his (Jonathan’s) family, insisting that ‘fear belongs to those who have abused trust while in office.’

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Jonathan made the claims in a new book “Against The Run of Play”, written by the Chairman of ThisDay Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi that the present administration was hounding members of his family with its anti-corruption crusade.

    In a statement by Buhari’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina on Wednesday, President Buhari told Jonathan that “fear belongs only to those who have abused trust while in office.”

    The president asked anyone with valuable grievances to approach the courts for redress.

    The statement reads: “The Presidency is constrained to respond to the banner headline story in a national newspaper of Wednesday, April 26, entitled: Buhari’s govt harassing my family, saying Jonathan. “The paper said former President Goodluck Jonathan made the allegation in a new book, “Against The Run of Play”, written by the Chairman of ThisDay Editorial Board, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi.

    “The former president also reportedly disagreed with the style being used by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in fighting corruption.

    “We make bold to state unequivocally that President Buhari harasses nobody; he merely allows the law to take its course. For the umpteenth time, we say that anybody without skeleton in his or her cupboard, has nothing to fear about the bared fangs of the anti-corruption initiative.

    “Fear belongs only to those who have abused trust while in office. Anybody who feels aggrieved is free to approach the courts to seek redress or justice. President Buhari believes in the rule of law and that is why his campaign against corruption is anchored on that plank.

    “With regard to President Buhari’s anti-graft style, which the former president deprecates, given the scale of revelations and recoveries so far by the anti-corruption agencies, it is obvious that corruption had an uninhibited course during our recent past.

    “In any case, time will give the verdict on whose style of fighting corruption ultimately yielded the most dividends.

    “For now, President Buhari is resolute and single-minded in the fact that his crusade against graft is not targeted at any individual or group.

    “He firmly believes that national interest must always be placed above personal interest, no matter who is involved.”

  • Stop abusing leaders, pray for them, Imam advises Nigerians

    Stop abusing leaders, pray for them, Imam advises Nigerians

    The Chief Imam Bida Road Central Mosque, Kaduna, Malam Muhammad Nafi’u on Friday said it is “unholy” the tendency of some Nigerians to abuse their leaders.

    The Imam, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, that leadership is ordained by God, as such it is important to pray for their guidance and ability to govern well.

    “Leadership comes from Allah, who gives power to whoever He wishes, as such it is ungodly to attack such leaders out of envy.”

    According to him, if a leader is giong astray, it behoves on the followers to draw his attention instead of casting aspersions, as whatever action such leader takes would have far reaching effect on the wellbeing of the generality of the people.

    “Leadership is a big task and every leader needs the support of all to achieve the desired result,” Nafi’u added.

    He cautioned those in position of authority to be just and fair to all irrespective of tribal, political or religious affliation.

    The Imam reminded all those in postion of authority that they must account for their deeds before Allah on the Day of Judgement.

    Nafi’u also urged Nigerians to pray for the safe return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his medical vacation, and cautioned those celebrating his reported ill health, saying every mortal is prone to sickness and death.

    “We should also pray for economic recovery and stability of our country,” the Imam said.

  • Don’t run government based on visions from opporturnistic prophets, Bishop warns Nigerian leaders

    Don’t run government based on visions from opporturnistic prophets, Bishop warns Nigerian leaders

     

    Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo on Sunday advised Nigerian leaders and governments not to give-in to running the country based on prophecies and visions of opportunistic prophets and seers.

    Badejo in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday described most of those people coming with unfounded and baseless visions as those “whom are at best, bankrupt or mere, informed speculators.

    Badejo said that such opportunistic prophets used to ply their trade at the beginning of every new year , hence, governments should be wary of their antics.

    “ No country develops on prophecies but on statistics, facts and data based on research and planning.

    “ If our leaders stop paying attention to such people, these self-styled prophets will lose market and audience and will likely find better jobs to do,’ he said.

    He urged Nigerians to enter the New Year 2017 with gratitude to God for his goodness and faithfulness to them in the previous years.

    He added that the people needed a better attitude of gratitude to their fellow beings, to the individuals who brought about some positive changes for the good of all.

    “These may be in government, among the security agencies, our soldiers or even the private sector. They may be in the families, education sector .

    “We can at least be grateful for the Sambisa forest capture, absence of fuel shortage during the festivities, availability of rice, better electricity supply in some areas,’’ he said

    Badejo also advised all to work for justice and peace to reign supreme in the society to overcome injustice against deprived people, outcasts, displaced people and the underprivileged..

    “ We need commitment to justice to recover our country.’’

    He said that justice demanded that everybody should apply truth and equity with sincerity, and giving to each as he deserves, in all areas of life.

    Badejo said that corruption had, unfortunately, found itself among the leading countries and organizations, in the entertainment industry and in sports all over the world.

    He said this had led to deprivation, resentment, anger and violence.

    “Most people speak against it but few are working against it. In Nigeria, the campaign against corruption needs sincere disciples,’’ he said.

    He challenged Christians and Muslims who formed the majority in positions of authority in the country to make their faith count and impact on governance and society by speaking against it.

    He wondered why governors, legislators and commissioners not waging war against corruption with the same passion as President Buhari had been doing.

    Badejo advised them to share in the vision of President Buhari aimed at ridding the country of corruption.

     

    NAN

     

  • Pastor Adeboye is a genuine man of God, Nigeria needs more leaders like him – Atiku

    Pastor Adeboye is a genuine man of God, Nigeria needs more leaders like him – Atiku

     

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to emulate the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

    The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, described Adeboye as a unique example of inspirational leadership, saying Adeboye’s influence cuts across tribe, class, and even religion.

    This is coming after Adeboye, on Saturday announced he was stepping down as the General overseer of the church in Nigeria, but will continue to head the ministry worldwide.

    In a statement, Atiku praised the religious leader’s influence on multitudes of Nigerians over the past four decades as the church overseer.

    He added that Nigeria needed more religious leaders like him.

    He said, “Pastor Adeboye is the kind of religious leader I pray that we see more of in Nigeria. He is a man beloved, and who loved one and all without discrimination.”

    Atiku hailed the role that the G.O. had played as a converging figure for other religious leaders in Nigeria, as many openly attend his services or consulted with him despite being of different denominations.

    “Some of the most prominent personalities Nigeria has been blessed with have been those who learnt from the pulpit of Pastor Adeboye. A most recent example is our current Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.”

     

  • ‘Nigerians must begin to sanction bad leaders’

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Isah Ashiru, on Friday said Nigerians must begin to sanction bad leaders, to engender responsible attitude to work.

    Ashiru said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that most politicians make promises they knew would not be kept.

    He canvassed for a legislation that would sanction political leaders who failed to deliver on their electioneering campaigns promises.

    “Basically, if a politician fails to deliver on his campaign promises, he should be sanctioned.

    “There should be referendum held at the end of each public official’s term for the people to decide whether the official they elected fulfilled the promises or not.

    “If I hire someone who told me he would fix the leak in my roof and it just ended up worse I should be able to hold him accountable for it.” he said.

    Ashiru who represent Kudan/Makarfi Federal Constituency lamented that most politicians were corrupt and power hungry.

    “It is as if there is a certain brain virus inside government houses that adversely effects the thinking and behaviour of some elected politicians.

    “We see what seems to be a good normal person become a governor, and the next thing we know he is behaving differently from the way he did formerly and especially differently from what was expected by those who elected him,” he said.

    “This is shown in the way there is no difference between a senator or governor who did an extremely dirty campaign and one who did an honest, positive campaign. Once elected, the two are equal.

    “As a consequence, it is not the most honest who gets to win, but the one who does all that is necessary to win.

    “So the ones willing to use bad principles have an edge over the ones who stick to good principles and don’t do anything immoral in order to win an election.

    “As a result, the political class is today infested mostly with people for which winning any competition is their most important guiding principle and not the ones for which ethics are more important.

    “That is, in my opinion, why politicians are generally viewed as corrupt and unethical,” he added.