The President, Good Leadership Advocacy for Africa (GLAFA) Dr. O’Diakpo Obire is of the opinion that the future of Nigeria is uncertain if the gap between the leadership and the citizenry is not bridged.
This he made known On Monday and Tuesday, 7 and 8 December, 2021, while handling a panel session at the just concluded Jet Age Nation Builders Conference held at Marriott Ikeja Hotel, Lagos State with the theme “The Future is Now”
Dr. O’Diakpo Obire emphasized that there is a disconnect between the leaders and the led that needs immediate reconnection, and this can only happen if Nigerians stop living in denial that all is well with and in the country.
Dr. Obire went further to aver that sustainable peace can only be achieved “when we start seeing ourselves as one people, one nation; as brothers and sisters and not the hatred on the basis of ethnicity, religion, region, etc. which is spread daily through social media. He pointed out that the role of social media in nation building is critical and should be channeled positively as its existence so far has done more harm than good to Nigeria’s unity”.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Obire stressed the need for our leaders at all levels, to take responsibility for the parlous state of affairs in the country. That this is not the time for blame games, but the hour of truth and sober reflection.
“This is the time for those in leadership positions and those aspiring to lead at any level in government to put the nation and her citizens first; it is the time to take the onerous responsibility of governance seriously, a time to stop seeing government positions as means to enrich themselves and their cronies”.
He stated that It is the time for all Nigerians to come together as one. “It is the time to emphasize those things that unite us and de-emphasize those that divide us like ethnicity, religion, region, etc. Sustainable progress will only set in if we stand for unity. And the future will be now”!
Other members of the panel with him were Hon. Shina Peller, (Member House of Representatives) Hon. Mrs Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli Macaulay (Member, Lagos State House of Assembly) and Dr. Steven J. Newton from the United States of America.
