OKOWA URGES LEADERS TO WORK FOR INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE,BETTER NATION

 

OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO /RACHAEL IGBIVWIE

Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called political leaders to work for the

interest of the people and for a better country rather than self.

The Governor made the call on at the annual re-union of Class 81 of

the Nigeria Airforce Military School, Jos which featured the delivery of

a lecture on the topic, Path to Purposeful and Legacy Leadership by Mr

Gbenga Oyebode in Asaba.

Dr. Okowa who decried the situation where money is becoming a

strong determining factor in who holds what position observed that

there should be emphasis on health, education and good moral

upbringing for children to enable them become good leaders, and

better citizens.

According to the Governor, “I hope one day our politicians will be

futuristic in their actions, put the interests of the people first and not

what they stand to gain as individuals; that way, our country will be

better, we hope that one day, we will have leaders who will be

compassionate about our people and about the nation.”

“The perception concerning politics and the way it is played is a great

challenge in our country, if only we can start to rework our thought

process to positively think more about how the people feels, how our

actions and inactions are affecting the people, it will be good for us

because, the politicians in Nigeria can do things right.”

Dr. Okowa added, “the question is, are the emerging political leaders

ready to play by the rules? Most of those who want to do the right

things are constrained by money, so, the way politics is played in

Nigeria does not encourage the eradication of corruption. People are

made to spend money the way they ought not to in the political arena,

someone who is running for an election must have a deep pocket

otherwise, someone with a deep pocket will sponsor him and at the

end, will be pulling the strings from behind. There is a new trend where the leaders take over the Assemblies and the governor has to obey the leaders; our youths also want the immediate gratification; the current drive in the society is not good for our nation as we now have more youths that wants to make quick money, engage in thuggery.”

He also decried situation where population is used as determining

factor for allocating resources to states by the federal government, he

commended Class 81 of the Nigeria Airforce Military School for

organising an annual reunion which creates opportunity for them to set agenda for themselves and for the good of the country.

Earlier, Mr Oyebode in his lecture described Governor Okowa as a man with strong faith who is committed to leaving legacies.

Mr. Oyebode called on leaders to innovate, stay updated, keep

learning and encourage more Nigerians to acquire education and give

back positively to the society.