2015: The year to vote out unproductive leaders

When we got there, it was clear to me that we were in a familiar terrain as was evident in the pleasant reception we got from the domestic staff. We were immediately ushered in. After I was introduced to Prince Audu, whom we met in company of one guest, we started chatting. As we discussed, […]

When we got there, it was clear to me that we were in a familiar terrain as was evident in the pleasant reception we got from the domestic staff. We were immediately ushered in. After I was introduced to Prince Audu, whom we met in company of one guest, we started chatting. As we discussed, he was frank, honest and to the point. He earned my admiration.
The discussion was mainly about our society, challenges of leadership, good governance and the need to move our country forward. As he spoke, I noticed his pain and agony on why our leaders have failed to realise the dreams our founding fathers toiled and stood for. I was intensely enamoured by his burning desire to see a new Nigeria in his life time. His lamentation about why our country should remain perpetually underdeveloped with life being tortuous as well as his passionate drive to achieve his vision for our people was also very evident and touchy. For him, keeping development away from the people cannot in any way be justified. Our youths must be well cared for, cherished and protected.
Midway into our conversation, he offered some prescriptions on how our beloved country, Nigeria, can move forward. First, he said we needed to re-invigorate our educational system. Every person must be educated. Secondly, he stressed the need for economic empowerment because, to him, poverty is an evil that must be dealt a deadly blow. Then, our electoral process must be refined, beginning at intraparty level up to the interparty stage where there can be credible, free and fair elections. This, to him, will deepen our democracy. Lastly, he emphasised the need for us to build institutions where our value system as a country shall be upheld, cherished and nourished without necessarily focusing on personalities.
It is time we showed our self-centered and unproductive leaders the exit door. They often depend on the underdevelopment of our people to achieve personal interests.  This situation has led to anger and restiveness, which in turn has led to wanton destruction of lives and property. It is time to welcome those true leaders who have the interest of this nation and the people at heart. This country must move forward; let it start from the states.
Dr Mohammed Habu, Garki, Abuja