For Nigeria to take its rightful place in the community of nations, the quality of the leaders elected in 2023 must change.
Also, Nigerians should vote for good leaders, instead of lining up behind leaders who mortgage their lives by giving them money and food as an incentive in exchange for votes.
These were the presentations made by former Governors of Ogun, Anambra and Kaduna States, Gbenga Daniel, Peter Obi, Ahmed Makarfi and other eminent Nigerians Tuesday in Lagos during Freedom Online’s fourth annual newspaper conference.
Freedom Online host and editor-in-chief Gabriel Akinadewo set things in motion by insisting that the time to decide on the bright side or the bleak future of Nigeria “is now that the world is moving and not waiting for Nigeria” .
While expressing concern about the current quality of leaders in the country, he stated that Nigeria urgently needs transformational leaders.
Daniel said that with the enormous resources of the nation, Nigeria can still perform better, if the quality of leadership is addressed.
In his opening speech, entitled: “Nigeria’s Political Indices: Bright or Bleak Future”, Mr. Daniel urged Nigerians to vote for good leaders, rather than stand in line behind leaders who mortgage their lives by giving them money and food as incentive in exchange for votes.
The former governor said Nigerians should realize that the only way to see a developed Nigeria is to make sure you vote with your brain and not your stomach.
Makarfi, the chairman of the event, said he was optimistic about a brighter Nigeria, but added that the leaders Nigeria needs now must be those who provide a Government of National Unity (GNU).
Mr. Obi, a special guest speaker, noted that the leadership recruitment and selection process is poor.
He said: “We have everything, but we lack the right leadership. In choosing the right leaders, we must take into account character, competence, and ability. Leaders must also invest in education, health and lifting people out of poverty.”
Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national deputy chairman and former Ondo state military administrator Olabode George said Nigerians should be seen as disinterested in service and the rule of law.
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Mr. George, who was represented by former Guardian Editorial Board member Uthman Shodipe-Dosunmu, said no matter the situation, he would not give up on Nigeria, saying: “This nation will not fail, it should not and it must not fail.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, called for a restructuring.
He said that “the issue of restructuring is very important to us.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Information and Strategy Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that although there are challenges, there are still good narratives about the country.
He said: “Nigeria is not going backwards. We are making progress. Young people are doing wonderful things all over the world. For example, in Lagos, young people are implementing technologies to solve social problems. The future of Nigeria is very bright and it is all in the hands of all of us, the old and the young.”
For the former CEO of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, it’s time to stop thinking so much about the past and focus on the future “because tomorrow may be too late”.
According to him, the quality of leadership impacts all citizens and aligns with the need to rethink the process of recruiting leaders in this country.
Akin Onigbinde criticized the dominance of the money issue in Nigerian politics.
Former Bayelsa State Military Administrator and Police Affairs Minister Omoniyi Olubolade simply said that Nigeria will do well.