Dennis Amachree
Former Deputy Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has offered tips for Nigeria’s greatness.
According to him, to achieve the goal, the most populous black nation must elect leaders that fully understand leadership and accountability.
He made the suggestion, weekend, at the Yaba College of Technology, where he was the guest speaker at the 10th Afrikan Watch Lecture and Awards.
Amachree, who spoke on the theme: A New Nigeria With Innovative Ideology Devoid Of Hypocritical Leaders, observed that while religious groups would propagate ideologies under the cloak of righteousness, political parties propagate theirs via the development umbrella.
He regretted that political parties in Nigeria operate without an identifiable ideology, adding that most politicians see public service as an opportunity to rule over slaves or subjects.
“In such systems like the United States of America, where we copied our form of government, leaders are known not only to talk the talk but also walk the walk with the guidance of their constitution,” Amachree stated.
The DSS ex-chief lamented that Nigerians have been caught up in the quagmire of hypocritical leadership, where the citizens are at the mercy of the politicians.
Calling for a change, he submitted that the political landscape in Nigeria lacks cognitive rigidity when it comes to ideology.
ON his part, ex-Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Otunba Bamidele Dada, said the importance of good leadership at the various levels of the society must be stressed.
His words: “What Nigeria needs today are leaders who uphold and respect the law. If we are to succeed as a nation, we must have a leadership that is committed to the rule of law and a visible sense of equity, fair play and tolerance. We must have leaders with a reflective sense of tomorrow, other than that of private bank account enrichment and material acquisition.
“As we look towards the ‘make-or-mar 2023 general elections,’ my advice as an elder statesman is that we need men and women who will be accountable, competent, trustworthy, loyal, dutiful, faithful, obedient, hardworking, principled, dedicated, committed and disciplined.”
Also, Editor-in-chief, Afrikan Watch, Mark Orgu, noted that Nigeria “is seriously bleeding,” stating that the way forward “is for the citizens to decide what they want.”
“A new Nigeria is only possible if the citizens hold their leaders accountable,” he advised.
guardian