Politics
Africa’s Leadership Question: ‘Most Countries Need Revolution Of Thought’
The President, Nations Leadership Institute (NLS) Mr Akogun Oyedepo, says most African countries need revolution of thought to breed future leaders in their countries.
Oyedepo, a lawyer and political scientist made this known on Monday while speaking at the official unveiling of the institute in Ilorin.
Our source reports that the unveiling of the institute was performed by the Speaker, Kwara House of Assembly, Mr Salihu Danladi.
Oyedepo declared that successive leaders in most African countries had nothing to learn from the past apart from corruption, tribalism and nepotism.
“We now have a better governance environment in some African countries where we have in place governments that even jailed members of their ruling elites.
“This, I consider a remarkable feat in the fight against corruption in the system.
“Otherwise, the hitherto norm was to protect the ruling oligarchy by shielding members of the class from justice,” Oyedepo said.
He said it was as a result of the turmoil in political landscape that NLI was born.
“We are of the view that as at today in Africa, there is an acute leadership deficiency,” he added.
According to the NLI president, leadership is exerting special influence within a group, community or even the country to move toward permanent beneficial goals that fulfil the group’s real needs.
“A leader therefore must be one that will use his or her informal power, authority and influence to direct and control other people in the pursuit of common goal.
“Leadership is not greed, selfish ambition, showmanship, nepotism, hat sectionalism, tribalism. Leaders that exhibit all these tendencies in position of authority are mere pretenders and they are not leaders properly so called,” Oyedepo said.
He explained that the institute was born to correct all the misconceptions and wrong perception of leadership in a world heading for disaster.
“What we need in most African countries is revolution of thought; thought that will change our perceptions about true meaning of political power and authority.
“We need body thoughts and actions that will not make our leaders enemies of themselves.
“When leaders embark on primitive accumulation of wealth and throw several people in penury; they jeoperdise their own security.
“If the poor must live, they must do so by visiting violence on the rich (incidences of kidnapping, ritual killings, internet fraud and even violent religious extremism are instructive here).
“Corrupt leaders create their own nemesis as their life style and their selfish belief system create material condition for violence,” Oyedepo added.
He called on African leaders to emulate Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, who through personal charisma and well informed selfless leadership moved the country from the third world to the first world within a space of 50 years, adding that President Yew achieved the feat without fighting any internal war.
“Therefore, we need not fight wars before many countries in Africa change from the present primitivity to modernity.
“And sometimes war and violence in the attainment of a political power can lead to a new progressive direction or it could also lead to stagnancy and backwardness in all facets of life,” Oyedepo said.
He however commended President Paul Kagame of Rwanda for creating out of from a war torn country, a stable, unified and reconciled country.
“Rwanda has been a success story of a country that moved from violence to posterity, yet the story of South Africa is different.
“From the developing trends in that country, the post-Apartheid South Africa is different from the expected outcome.
“It is not only that the inequalities of the Apartheid years are sustained, the xenophobic attacks on non-South Africans living in the country have put to question years of Mandela’s struggles.
“Perhaps there is the need for another way of social justice in that country or a revolution of thought,” Oyedepo stressed
Oyedepo said NLI was for revolution of thought that would re-direct what he considered as perishing nations.
“There is the need for altruistic leaders that will be honest, bold, knowledgeable and compassionate.
“There is the need for leaders of integrity and character. Leaders that will not promote an ethnic, sectional agenda or a preferred section of their country to be number one in a multi-ethnic society,” he added.
Oyedepo said Nigerians need a country where corruption was no more a norm, where crimes were loathed and leaders that would be nationalistic and patriotic so much that they would know the real needs of the people.
NAN reports that NLI has six schools made up of School of Party Organisation and Campaign Management, School of Legislative Training and Consultancy Service, and School of NGO Training and Operation.
Ohers are the School of Tourism and Hospitality, School of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, and School of Leadership Values.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by members of Kwara House of Assembly, academics and politicians, while the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Kayode Alabi, was represented by Alhaji Femi Yusuf. (NAN)
The lawmaker representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bisi Oyedele, says Nigerian legislature, especially at the state level, has not ceased to be an appendage of the executive because the constitution which guarantees its financial autonomy has not been strictly adhered to.
Hon. Oyedele argued that a legislature that goes cap in hand to the executive cannot perform it functions optimally.
He spoke at a symposium organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The symposium with the theme: “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process”, was put together in honour of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who was decorated as the legislative icon in Nigeria.
“The constitution is clear about legislative autonomy in section 121 of the constitution. It states clearly how legislature should be autonomous, independent. Until when that is done in Nigeria, the legislature will continue to become an appendage of the executive.
“I must tell you that if there’s strict adherence to the dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will begin to see changes in the operationalities of the houses of assembly.
“That’s very important because when you are not empowered financially, when everything you want to do, you have to raise a memo to the governor, we want this; you’re more like at the service of the governor, of which the constitution doesn’t put us under the governor”, Hon. Oyedele said.
He described the legislature as the bedrock of democracy, saying lawmakers should be the ones speaking for the people.
Delivering the lecture, a university don, Prof. Moshood Omotosho, lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political ‘cabals’ are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria.
The professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said despite the challenges, the crucial role of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making, oversight promoting good governance, amongst others must not be undermined.
He said, “The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
“The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
A Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola, applauded his strides in lawmaking and empowerment of his constituents.
“The legislature is the closest arm of government to the people. Hon. Solomon Adeola should be commended for his understanding of grassroots needs and his effective committee management,” Akinleye stated.
The convener, Bolaji Adeniji, disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to the society.
The Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accused the members of the party that recently defected to the All Progrssives Congress (APC) of betraying the party and the masses that brought them to power.
He spoke at his Bompai residence in Kano State, when he received supporters of Senator Abdulraham Sumaila (Kano South) who recently declined to defect with him (Kawu Sumaila) to the APC.
“Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election on the party’s ticket decided to abandon the masses to join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families” he stated.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support but later you abandoned the party. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Senator Kwankwaso added.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, appreciated the loyal members for “taking the courage to return to their base,” while predicting that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their political actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task, they will not know until when they engage in the fight,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Muntari Fararawa, said that they came to his home to inform him of their refusal to join the APC with their senator.
“We thought it wise to return home so as to continue to propagate the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP as well as to contribute our quota to the development of our dear state.
“We hope that we will be accepted back and reintegrated into the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP to enable us to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other members,” he said.
Business mogul and elder statesman, Prince Arthur Eze, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his historic visit to Anambra State and the Southeast zone, describing it as a clear message of healing and reconciliation to the Igbo.
The business magnate stated this in a letter he sent to the president, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, upon his return to Nigeria from Venezuela, where he had gone for a business endeavour.
“I have seen the joy and excitement elicited amongst our people by your visit to Anambra State.
“To this end I write to thank you specially for the visit to Anambra and by extension to the Southeast,” Prince Eze wrote.
He noted that the visit has gone a long way in healing the civil war wounds of South Easterners and assured the people that there is hope for proper reconciliation and reintegration.
“Today, it has entered the annals of Nigeria’s chequered history that you are the first President of the country, from the Southwest who has taken this historic initiative to visit the Southeast after the bitter civil war with a clear message of reconciling the Igbo with other parts of the nation.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the bitter civil war and its painful relics with its tribal cleavages and dimensions. This visit by you is therefore a giant leap forward and a clear signal that the wounds of that unfortunate era is healable.
“Your pronouncements during the visit are vivid indications that you are indeed a nationalist and a bridge builder who has risen above tribal dogmatism.
“Your actions by this singular visit has sent a message of hope of complete reintegration and reconciliation to the Igbo race.
“This is monumental and a generational landmark that we would continue to cherish and value,” he said.
Prince Eze also expressed appreciation to the president for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in his government.
“We are appreciative to the genuine concern you have always shown as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the cause of the Igbos. You have appointed Igbo sons and daughters to key positions as a mark of recognition for the entire Igbo people of this country.
“You also gave us important ministerial positions which no President before you had done, signaling your appreciation of the people of Southeast extraction.
“I also commend your robust appreciation of the laudable economic and infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Anambra State government under the able leadership of the amiable Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is a genuine and sincere personality, and every Igboman will support him. Be rest assured that he will ensure massive support for you from the Southeast in the 2027 elections”.
While describing President Tinubu as a true nationalist, Prince Eze pledged his support and those of other Igbo for the re-election of the president in 2027.
“I therefore make bold to say that Igbos, wherever they may reside in this country now have very concrete and genuine reasons to support you and work actively for your re-election in 2027 so that you can do more for the Igbos.
“Once again, I thank you immensely, my dear President, Dike Si’mba!” Prince Eze said.