2015: Nigerians truly demand a focused leader

The country has everything it takes to be a great nation, but even as a self-acclaimed giant of Africa, Nigeria is among the least developed. Again, Nigeria is one of the most resourceful countries in the world. It has massive agricultural potentialities, iron ore, coal, gold, gas and abundant petroleum products, yet a lot of […]

The country has everything it takes to be a great nation, but even as a self-acclaimed giant of Africa, Nigeria is among the least developed. Again, Nigeria is one of the most resourceful countries in the world. It has massive agricultural potentialities, iron ore, coal, gold, gas and abundant petroleum products, yet a lot of people live below poverty level.
It is quite unfortunate that, with huge economic potentials, Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world. The living standard of the people is very poor, the quality of education in the country is low, the health care system is not effective, there is no stable electricity, no potable water. Insecurity has taken a dangerous dimension, to say the least.
Is it not surprising that Nigerians are extremely religious, with a good number of Muslims and Christians, yet we are the most corrupt in the world? This ugly practice has become so bad that cases of stealing are treated as corruption. Nigeria is the only country that flourishes in child factories, cultism, child trafficking, kidnapping, human parts trading and all forms of atrocities.
For Nigeria to come out of this situation, there is a general consensus that competent, sincere, intelligent and proactive leadership is desperately needed. We need a rational leader who has the capacity and will power to tackle poverty and insecurity, stamp out corruption, overcome youth unemployment, effectively address the problem of oil spill in the South-South, erosion in the South-East, flooding in the South-West and desertification in the North. Nigerians need a leader who would think and see beyond his geo-political zone and social environment, a leader who is prudent and incorruptible, a leader who is mentally and physically capable of re-engineering the nation to the right direction.
Nigerians need a leader who has grown beyond tribalism and religious sentiment. Our educational sector is in a confused state and the health sector in comatose; hence we need a proactive leader.
Going by the aforementioned, and if the truth must be told, I think that Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is the right person to lead this country. His intention to contest the presidential election in 2015 is a step in the right direction. His performance as the governor of Kano State is spectacular. Kano is now a completely a new state. The level of transformation in Kano is tremendous. Truly, he can replicate such action at the national level. Readers may wish to come to Kano and see things for themselves.
I therefore call on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to give Kwankwaso the opportunity to salvage this country. It is time for Nigeria to move forward; we are tired of leaders who perform below the people’s expectations.
Dr. Sani Lawal Malumfashi, Kano State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies.
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