Africa needs true leaders

African leaders need to lay more emphasis on service in their respective nations. Unfortunately, what we have presently in Africa is not leadership but rulership. Leadership should be all about service to the people.

Leadership is about embracing and standing up for change. It is about taking up responsibilities and leading by example. Leadership is about knowing the needs of the people and stepping up to meet such needs. It is understanding the situation of your country and taking bold steps towards making life better for the citizens.

Leadership is not about power; it is about serving the country and working towards a common goal. It is about servanthood. Leadership is not about personal aggrandizement. The leadership idea is defeated when our public office holders continue to give the impression that all that matters to them is wealth accumulation. African leaders should learn how to set aside their kingship mentality and do something positive to touch the lives of the people in their respective countries. Our leaders in Africa must do away with the belief that they are kings who shoulld die on the throne rather than relinquish power.

Our leaders need to mean what they say and say what they mean. They must recognize the need to deliver on their promises at all times. The world is hungry for concrete actions, not words. It was H.G. Bohn who said, “many people talk like philosophers and live like fools.”

Adewole Alao,
Paul and Grace Foundation,
10B, Savage Crescent,
GRA Enugu.

Giving extra attention to the girl child

To the typical African, the male child is betterthan the female child. Africans don’t stop having children until they bear male children. In Africa, the male child is pampered and idolised.

However, the girl child is not less important . Girls are potential mothers who take care of all male children. The mother is the first to be recognised by the child; she understands the baby’s language and attends to his needs; mothers mould their children in the way they want. Every present and potential leader was once under the control of a woman. This means women, mothers, ladies, girls are in control of the world. They are indispensable.A man aquires success through the woman. Behind a successful man, there is a good woman.

The rights of the girl child should be protected. The girl child should be well-educated. The girl child feels loved and appreciated when she is granted audience . She loves to be listened to, and showed some care.

When a young girl is informed about anything, she feels enthusiastic and is ready to impart the knowledge. The girl child needs extra attention.She should be encouraged so that she can realise her potentials.

Aweda Yinka A.,
St Luke’s College Senior School 1,
Molete, Ibadan.

Fashola, stop Oro festival in Ikorodu

This is to draw the attention of the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola to the barbaric practice of Oro worshippers in Ikorodu town. During the month of May and June every year, women are forced to remain indoors for two days.

Over the years, women who inadvertently stepped out of their homes were killed or beaten up by these Oro worshippers consisting of stick-wielding ruffians. They do not announce the commencement of the Oro festival on the media and travelers on the interstate routes have innocently fallen victims.

In May 2008, female students writing their WAEC/NECO exams had to stay within the examination centres for two nights. One can imagine the risks these girls were exposed to. Some years back, a pregnant woman whose labour started during one of these Oro nights bled to death because the family couldn’t take her to hospital.

When the Oba of Ikorodu was asked why such an archaic practice is still being allowed in the face of civilization, his comment was that those who were not comfortable with the tradition should leave his domain.

I think the time to call the Oba of Ikorodu and his advisers to order is now. Some religious bodies and other interest groups have been calling on their female members to disregard the directive to stay at home and go about their normal businesses. I foresee a total breakdown of law and order any time Oro worshippers are in town.

Governor Fashola should use his good offices to ensure the rule of law prevails. The member of the House of Representatives representing Ikorodu constituency, Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa, is aware of this injustice. She was asked to intervene many years ago by some journalists who interviewed her when this matter was raised. She kept mute because she did not want to offend the powers that be.

My sincere opinion is that such obnoxious practices should not be allowed to thrive in civilized societies.

Titilayo Benson,
Lagos

Illegal mining in Egbeda

Rock blasting by illegal miners has become a common occurrence in Bamigbelu and its environs in Egbeda Local Government of Oyo State. The situation endangers the lives of over 500,000 inhabitants.

The effects of rock blasting with dangerous explosives are the following: Gradual weakning of building foundations through shock waves and vibration, crack and eventual collapse of structures, destruction of galvanized roofs by rock fragments, aggravating the health conditions of hypertensive patients, environmental degradation / destruction of beautiful scenery / topography which could be developed for tourism purposes.

One of the goals of the National Policy on Environment is to prevent environmental degradation and ensure its sustenance for the general wellbeing of Nigerians. An Environmental Impact Assessment must be carried out without further delay.

We hereby seek the assistance of all stakeholders: The Federal Ministry of Environment, the state Environmental Protection Agency, Egbeda Local Government, and the Oyo State Government.They should come to our aid before a disaster occurs.

Patrick Saduwa,
New Ife Road,
Olode, Ibadan.