Permit me a space in your widely-read newspaper to express my view, worry and  anxiety  about our current leadership structure in the country, which is a total departure from the landmark built by our leaders of old.

Recently, the nation’s old pre-independence tripod were posthumously honoured for their selfless service rendered while on the stage. These were Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of Western Region; Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, former Premier of Easern Region and Sir Ahmadu Bello, former Premier of Northern Region.

During their reign as premiers in their respective regions, corruption and insecurity of lives and property were at the lowest ebb, and that is if they existed at all.

Without the oil revenue, these  heroes turned their regions to viable economic empires, and their people enjoyed dividends of good leadership.

In fact, most of the so-called current leaders were beneficiaries of the good governance of this tripod.

We never heard that the leaders stashed the people’s money abroad   for personal use, neither can we identify with them, even till now, any choice property or expensive cars, either within or outside the shore of our beloved nation.

But today, various vices have replaced values highly cherished by our past heroes.

The money avaricious leaders of this new era are busy in financial skimming, raking with impunity, both local and foreign currencies into their baskets of greediness, putting up palatial structures that their descendants will not be able to maintain after their demise.

Really, our current leaders need to study the way of life of our past heroes, and be schooled in their management style, in order to be able to build a country void of scam, sects insurrection, poverty and the likes.

Till today, few  states have been able to pay the N18,000 minimum wage, while labour leaders who are not ready for adulterated tables face victimisation from our ‘new leaders’.

Then, strike which ought to be a lasting tool for actualising their dream, becomes an immediate instrument to press home their demands.

Recently, the Lagos State government recalled it sacked 788 medical doctors. Although the issue has been resolved, but while the crisis lasted, many people would definitely have lost their lives.

Our members of parliament, be it in the state or national levels, enjoy huge allowances, and we also hear of billions of naira being mismanaged on a daily basis.

I pray God should bless us again with good leaders like those of old — Awo, Zik and Bello — leaders who  were not after riches, but after good names.

Odewale Taiwo,
OAU, Ile-Ife,
Osun State.

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