By Deborah Obot and Kelvin Ololo
A Clergyman in Calabar, the Cross River State capital have called on leaders to be introspective in their actions as their positions are privileges from God.
The Senior pastor of the Honeystream Christian Centre, Pastor Akomaye Ugar while delivering the keynote address at a leadership event held Wednesday charged politicians and political office holders to set sustainable priorities, rather than feeding the electorate with manifestos.
Ugar who spoke on the theme; ‘Community Sensitization on Democracy, Good Governance and Development,’ averred that: “The change desired in this nation cannot be seen until we as a people begin to change the way we do things. We need to let these politicians know that we are no longer going to sell our rights to them for a peanut and be used as instruments of election violence.”
The clergyman who said a good vision is expressed in service to humanity, noted that: “Leadership begins with being a responsible person and making proper progressive contribution to the society.”
He enumerated “experience, exposure, education, vision and firm working structure,” as some vital components of democratic development and good governance.
On his part, the guest speaker, Mr. Oak Samuel advocated the need to do right always as citizens irrespective of what others think.
Samuel who said leadership corrects ills when “nothing happens, changes, develops or improves,” pointed out that leadership is an entrusted privilege given to politicians by God through the people to serve, hence the need to seek to achieve collective interest.
He enjoined all to be a part of providing solutions and not part of the problem to be solved.
“Nigeria will not be great until we all decide to what is right to everyone and at every time, beginning from our immediate environment,” he said.
The event was organised by Second Chance Initiative, with support from the Niger Delta Development Commission and Point Plus where he called for mindset reorientation.
And, participants commended the organisers for the initiative especially as elections were fast approaching.
A student of Mary Slessor Academy, Miss Ignatius Sembelina told CrossRiverWatch that: “It enable us to know what is right and to do it, and to get involved in governance, lest there will be abuse of power.”
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