President Muhamadu Buhari has challenged Nigerians and African politicians leaders to practicalize lesson from the lecture that was been delivered with a view to moving Nigeria forward by Professor Patrick Lumumba, the renown Kenyan Anti-Corruption crusader.
Buhari who was represented by Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, at the 10th Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki Memorial Anniversary Lecture, held in Abuja
described the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, as “A Nigerian Statesman who played an active role in the evolution of Nigeria’s political development”
The president emphasized the need for Nigerians to chose wisely during the fast approaching general elections.
While delivering the memorial lecture on THEME “Leadership and the followership Debate” Lumumba pointed that, the leadership recruitment process in Africa as well as the attitude of followers would continue to stifle growth if not changed.
He said: “I am suggesting that Africa is not going to grow as long as you are in position of leadership, and you have perfected the art of appealing to the stomach rather than the minds of the men and women that you lead.
“I am suggesting to you that Africa is never going to realize our potential as long as we are dividing our people along ethnic lines.
“I am suggesting that Africa is not going to realize her potential as long as we continue to conduct the politics of money and money bags, not the politics of ideas.
“ I am suggesting that as long as you were in positions of honor and privilege and you are in the business of dividing our people on the basis of the religion, Africa is not going to realize her potential.”
“History has demonstrated that governments have been toppled and presidents have been removed on account of this in the past.”
Also speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lII, who chaired the occasion, invited Nigerians to show greatest interest in happenings around them.
He said, “We are interested in what happens in our country and this is very serious period with politics dominating the space and we are talking about leadership and followership by a distinguished African.
“The topic chosen by the organizers is so apt, and important because we are into political activities and we are looking for leaders to steer the ship of State to an excellent destination, we must look at who a leader should be, what leadership should not be, what we should do as followers to ensure we have a good leader.
“I want to thank the guest lecturer for coming all the way to talk to us, he has been so blunt in telling the powers that be, what should be done as regards leadership, because he has always been the conscience of the People and if you have good leaders, you will have good followership, if you have bad followership, you will have bad leadership.”
Speaking Earlier in his remarks on behalf of the Saraki family, former Senate President Bukola Saraki thanked dignitaries that honoured the occasion saying, “Ourvfather built solid relationships across the length and breadth of the Country”.
“He said that his children, have continued to benefit from the relationships beyond Nigeria”.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the event were Sokoto State governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Gov. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Gov. Diri Duoye (Bayelsa), Gov. Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) His Royal Highness Muhammad Sanusi who is also the Royal father of the day.
Vice-presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, congratulated Convieners, Saraki and siblings including well wishers.
Some stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the North Central Part of Nigeria, Hon. Theopholus Dakas Shan the Vice Chairman PDP North Central Zone,
Zonal Treasurer Emanuel Ija, and Dr. Adagazu who is the Zonal Organizing Secretary, all commended Family, associates for holding memorial lecture in honour of Oloye Saraki.
Theopholus Dakas Shan said, the “THE Leadership and followership Debate”is timely and spearing not the leadership nor it followership concerning accountability.
The PDP North Central Zonal vice Chairman said, “ Bukola Saraki and his siblings are succeeding in their service to humanity because of their sound humanitarian and leadership background”
SAWABIYANews 