Eresia-Eke Blames Nigeria’s Leadership Challenge On Corruption

The former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke has attributed the growing agitation for secession across the country by the different ethnic groups as an indication of a failed country being rattled by corruption.
Eresia-Eke, who was a former manager, Community Relations and Public Affairs, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), in Bonny Island, averred that nothing was wrong with Nigeria as a country but stressed that the greatest challenge bedevilling the country was the corrupting tendencies of those occupying leadership positions without ideological concepts to move the nation forward.
He made these assertions while reviewing the book, “The State, Politics And Development: A Collection Of Essays”, written by some students in honour of a political scientist, Prof Eme Ekekwe, who retired from the service of the University of Port Harcourt at the Amatu Braide Auditorium, University Park, last Tuesday.
Eresia-Eke argued that the nation’s political leadership was being manned by corrupt politicians who have no vision and ideology to better the economic and well-being of the citizens, pointing out that any leader that cannot respect the rule of law and rights of the citizens was not worthy of being called or addressed as a leader but tyrant and callous.
“What the writers in this collection describe as leaders are those who don’t have the interest of the people at heart but looters, thieves who are playing with us and lead us into hardship, and should not be called leaders.
“The various agitations going on in the country today are an indication that things have fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold again, simply because of ridiculous, bad, irresponsible and corrupt leaders who are not sympathetic to the plights of the people”, he stated.
Eresia-Eke, therefore, urged opinion leaders, teachers and writers to reset the concept of leadership with a view to ascribing the name ‘leaders’ to only those who are sincere and not those who are corrupt and selfish.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Ndowa Lale, while agreeing with the sentiments expressed by the book reviewer, said that all hopes were not yet lost as there still exist leaders who have distinguished themselves in governance.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof Akin Fawehimi, the VC urged those entrusted with public governance to eschew selfishness and inculcate transparency, accountability and sincerity in the discharge of the duties entrusted in them by the people.
In his contribution, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences at the institution, Prof Prince C. H. Mmom, called on leaders to ensure they deliver good governance and democratic dividends to the people, and described the retiree as a man with many parts, who has distinguished himself in both academic and socio-political lives
In his remarks, Head of Department, Political Science & Administrative Studies, Dr Timothy Nte, expressed worry that corruption and selfish interest have taken the centre stage in the nation’s political leadership, adding that leadership was the main challenge in the country’s quest for growth and development.
He regretted that the nation has no proper political system with clear vision and direction for the advancement of the country, adding that only a conscious, sincere and focused leadership can solve numerous challenges facing the country.