…. Lists type of leader’s country needs
By Adesina Wahab
Former Justice Minister, Mr Kanu Agabi, SAN, has said democracy is gradually turning to dictatorship in Nigeria because corruption has permeated every sector of the society.
He stated this in Lagos on Thursday while delivering the 23rd Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture titled “Nigeria’s pathways: Diagnosis and the prescriptions.”
The lecture was to mark the birthday of Bishop Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM.
Agabi, who was Justice Minister during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, also said despite the efforts of anti-graft agencies in the country, it appears the agencies are not recording expected successes because they are overwhelmed.
“Dictatorship takes hold of a society when corruption has permeated every department of the society. In the bid to amass wealth, today’s leaders are ready to give their children snakes instead of bread. They believe they can purchase the kingdom of God. Getting power in the country has been founded on bloodshed, we have to repent of that.
” We have several institutions fighting corruption today. These institutions have done well indeed and are entitled to be commended. If we appear to be losing the fight against corruption, the fault is not theirs. We blame them because we are not aware of the successes that they have achieved or are still achieving. Let the nation be ever so corrupt, yet, corruption shall remain a crime,” he stated.
While saying the fear of the anti-graft agencies has made some individuals to turn their homes to where they keep funds, or stash such abroad, Agabi advised the federal government to find means of encouraging Nigerians to bring their monies back home to invest.
” The monies that we are recovering as proceeds of crime represent a tiny little fraction of the monies that Nigerians have deposited abroad. If these monies are recovered or recalled and invested in education or power or the provision of infrastructure, it will not be long before the nation will be on the way of ridding itself of corruption, “he added.
Listing the qualities expected of leaders in a situation where the country is fractured and palpable fear gripping the citizens, the SAN opined that leaders must have the vision of where they are taking the led.
“We also need leaders who will be communicating with people and also listen to them. We don’t need leaders who will be so far from the people and won’t say anything or listen to anything. We need leaders who will identify with the people, leaders with a sense of purpose. We also need leaders who will appreciate the fact that they must impact positively on the lives of the people,” he stated.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Atedo Peterside, noted that good leaders talk and inspire those they lead with their actions.
“There are various ways of effecting change. We can bring change when leaders and others, by their talks and actions inspire the people to do the right things. There can also be a change when people fight like we are witnessing in places like Sudan, but that is with a great cost. It is therefore necessary that we are not tired of talks like this one,” he noted.
In his remarks, Bishop Okonkwo said every Nigerian should make the quality decision to be a change agent in their small corners.
“Be the change that you want. You don’t need to join them in doing evil, instead of joining them, you can beat them. Everybody should also take the deliberate step of becoming a change agent. We must also begin to teach our young ones the importance of doing the right thing at all times. It is going to be tough, but in the end it pays, ” he said.
