Shonekan tasks leaders on national devt

[MrVan]

By DAUD OLATUNJI

ABEOKUTA— Former Head of  Interim National Government,ING,  Chief Ernest Shonekan, yesterday, tasked political office holders to work hard and ensure national development.

Speaking  in Abeokuta, at the launch of  a book written on former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, 'Passing the Tourch' by Ambassador Albert Omotayo,  Shonekan said there was need for statesmen, professionals and politicians to lay good foundation for the coming generation.

He said successful and patriotic statesmen, professionals and politicians needed to show Nigerians coming behind that work is beneficial and also be conscientious in their callings.

The former Head of the Interim National Government said: "It is important  to always  celebrate some of the leaders who had contributed immensely  to national development," adding that in Nigeria, people were fond of condemning leaders who had achieved so much but made one or two mistakes.

He stressed that there was a need for a change of attitude in this regard, stressing that the former president remained an enigma whose contributions to national and international development was worthy of emulation.

At the event, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, described Obasanjo as an enigma, urging researchers to work on other notable personalities.

Mrs. Jonathan, who was represented by Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said:  "It is important for all Nigerians, especially the youth, whom leaders will hand over to eventually, to have a good understanding of their socio-political antecedents."

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN,  called for the documentation of  good works and policies of the country's leaders whose achievements in office were exemplary.

Vanguard Nigeria