MERCHANDIZING DISCORD: Leaders of today are merchants of disunity – Maitama Sule

[MrVan]

*Says Nigeria needs Awolowo, Azikiwe and Bello again

*'The future might remain bleak for Nigeria unless...'

Lamido may have been called all sorts of names but the application of certain aspects of rascality may have been part of the revolutionised transformation of Jigawa State for which no other governor had recorded.  He is a respectable and decent rascal.

I was once  referred to as such (rascal) by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo because he had wanted somebody of my character to do a certain job for him.

I had disagreements with some of former President Olusegun Obasanjo's policies, however, any leader who could rule Nigeria for eight years deserves commendation.

The lack of visionary leaders is the bane of Nigeria's progress.

The leaders of today are merchants of disunity amongst the people because of their lack of compassion for the common man unlike what obtained during the times of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe.

The leaders of today are merchants of  disunity because of their lack of  compassion for the common man unlike it used to be  during the times of the late Sarduana of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello; Awolowo and Chief Nnamdi Azikwe.

*Maitama Sule Nigeria is a great country, with good foundation laid by past leaders such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mallam Aminu Kano and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe after independence. God blessed Nigeria with abundance of mineral resources, including oil.

But the extravagant lifestyle of Nigerian leaders and stealing, got us to this bad situation that we found ourselves as a nation. I believe Nigeria will get better with the emergence of good leaders who will have the interest of the masses at heart. A good leader is the one that rules with the fear of God, justice, fairness and equity. That is someone with an open heart. Vision, accountability and transparency will bring lasting solution to our problems.

The leader of the people is a servant and not monster. The important leaders are the religious leaders and the Prophet (Mohammed, S.A.W) is the best leader. Let our leaders try to relive the past.

What was our past in the First Republic?

What were the leaders like? Though they had their shortcomings like any other human beings, but I make bold to say that our past leaders were excellent. Name them, from Azikiwe, Awolowo, the Sardauna, J.S Tarka and the rest of them, they provided selfless leadership. They all came to give and not to take.

What Nigeria needs at this time of her life are leaders not rulers, leaders who will not steal, leaders who will not betray the peoples' trust, leaders who want to serve and not to be served, leaders who are ready to give and not to take.

Leaders should halt the current trend of discrimination, religious bigotry and ethnic chauvinism.

This is the time for the country and its entire people to relive the past and rule with the fear of God as demonstrated by Nigeria's past leaders.

Nigeria's underdevelopment is being caused bad leadership, at independence, Nigeria was at the same level with both India and Brazil, but they have made significant inroad into development more than Nigeria.

Except the present leaders live an upright and honest life in leadership, the future might be bad for the people.

Being a presentation by Maitama Sule in a lecture titled Governance, Ethics and Morality, delivered in Dutse,  Jigawa State

Vanguard Nigeria