Nigerian Leaders Challenged on Strong Institutions to Sustain Legacies

By Olabode Abolaji

Nigerian Leaders have been charged to always pursue vigorously the setup of strong institutions that will contemplate their legacies after they leave office.

This should be done by following the true tenets of leadership and development championed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old Western region.

The National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mahmud Balarabe SAN stated this in a lead debate at the 2nd edition of Raufnomics in the transformation of Osun Colloquium held to mark the 60th birthday of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

According to Balarabe, this will help to sustain the lasting legacies of progressive leadership and good governance from an administration to the other.

He commended Aregbesola’s leadership style which he expressed confidence in to make a new Osun that will be the toast of generation unborn.

“We don’t need too much strong leaders but strong institutions and that is where we need to have our leaders build strong institutions to implement good governance in Nigeria.”

“The fact that I am here is that on the goodwill on the NBA as Rauf Aregbesola has raised the standard of governance in the state and country at large. Osun state has changed and has been transformed. I have been to Osun many times and I have seen the quality of good materials used by the government in terms of road infrastructure and the schools”, Abubakar posited.

The NBA President said that “87% of Osun People have access to drinking water which is higher than the 57% in Kaduna as well as 46% infant mortality ratio to the 86% we have in Kaduna. This means there are elements of good leadership in Osun.”

Discussants at the Colloquium titled “Good Governance and Challenges of Leadership” including Prof Akin Oyebode, Prof Niyi Akinnanso and Dr Charles Akinola enumerated the sterling leadership qualities and abilities embedded in the celebrator as well as the challenges encountered in effective service delivery to the masses.

They also emphasized the need for Nigerians to always support progressive minded individuals who are visionary and selfless to human development.

Prof Oyebode said “Greatness is when an ordinary person performs an extra-ordinary thing. Nigerians have voted against military tyranny and that is why Democracy is here to stay. Aregbesola’s legacies on Education and all sectors are good. We need somebody like Aregbesola who will in turn continue his good works.”

Prof Akinnaso observed with passion that “What touches me in Governor Aregbesola is an in-resenting federalist who will not allow anything to derail his course as a progressive minded politician with vigour”.

Dr Charles Akinola noted that “Osun today is 2nd lowest state with poverty index in Nigeria after Lagos. Osun has the lowest unemployment rate in the Country with the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics from 12.4% to 3% in 2015.