Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Philippines, Yemi Farounbi, lamented that Nigeria’s problem has always been leadership.
This is just as he reiterated the need for a younger, intelligent and forward-looking person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Speaking at The Nigeria Agenda (TNA) forum, with the theme “A secured Nigeria is possible, just keep the faith”, held at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, the former ambassador said said “a secure Nigeria is possible if we get good leadership in 2023.
“If we are tired of bad leadership, it is time to make a change. It is time to take our destiny into our hands. Nigerians must rise to fight bad leadership,” he said.
Dr Farounbi said Nigerians’ problem can only be solved by Nigerians by electing a responsible, young, vibrant and articulate leader who understand the problems and can proffer solution.
Also speaking at the event, Julius Ogunro, the consultant to the TNA Project, said Nigeria’s underdevelopment is not a result of a curse or ill luck.
“The right kind of political leadership is more important than all the mineral resources that we have been blessed with in the country,” he said.
Ogunro opined there is a way out for the country, despite the leadership and followership conundrum which invariably ensures the recycling of bad leadership, adding that the kind of leadership is a reflection of followership.
Meanwhile, the Director-General, National Prosperity Movement, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, a former commissioner for information in Adamawa State, said the 2023 elections offer an opportunity to turn the corner via the enthronement of the right quality of leadership across the board, especially a president whose vision, skillset and experience match the country’s needs.
He called on Nigerians to be deliberate about the political recruitment process in 2023 because of its serious implications for the peace, unity, economic prosperity of the country and ultimately, its development.
The Director-General of Nigerian Prosperity Movement Hon Ahmed Sajo in his short presentation urged Nigerians to key into The Nigeria Agenda as he posits it is the encapsulate solution to Nigerians’ problem.
Also Dr Seye Oyeleye, The DG DAWN commission in his paper said Nigeria’s present and future needs to be determined by the will of the people.
“The country is currently being run against the will of the people, as the constitution serving as the social contract of the country is illegitimate without any input from Nigerians.
The TNA team, which though commended President Buhari’s administration for its strides, especially for its investments in infrastructure, insisted that despite all of these, the country has not reached the Promised Land.
Other speakers at the event, included a former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Chief Abiodun Aluko; Professor Tunde Adeniran, who was represented; Honourable Lola Fagbemi and the Osun State Commissioner for Political Affairs and Inter-governmental Relations, Taiwo Akeju, all called for the right leadership to steer the ship of the country.
The TNA, which asked participants to ‘Just Keep Faith’, had taken its campaign to Kano, Bauchi, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Awka in Anambra State and Minna in Niger State.
Other participants at the events include the Chief of staff to the Ekiti state Governor, Federal lawmakers, Council chairmen and commissioners from the southwest state and other notable personalities.
The Ekiti State Cultural Troupe electrified the audience with a playlet and traditional dance, encouraging Nigerians to come out en mass to vote for a young, dynamic candidate as the President of Nigeria in 2023.
