Prominent Nigerians have charged leaders in the country to live exemplary lives and continue to dialogue so as to seek solutions to the nation’s problems.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese; Prof. Benjamin Okaba; and Chief Olu Falae gave this charge on Tuesday at a birthday lecture to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of Uduaghan in Asaba.
Uduaghan, in his remarks, called on leaders in all spheres of life to live exemplary lives worthy of emulation by their followers and other Nigerians.
He reminded them that “when leaders show good example to their followers, their followers will follow suit.
“This the challenge we have as leaders.
“What are you telling your followers?
“What examples are you showing to them?”
While calling on leaders to do more to enhance the living conditions of their followers, Uduaghan admonished the followers to be patient and support their leaders for the good of the nation.
Dr. Uduaghan called for continuing dialogue on the issues that propagate anger in the society, stressing that the more we discuss these issues, the more we are able to manage them and the anger they generate.
Abubakar in his address said that leadership was a trust from God and was all about service to the people, stressing that all leaders would account for their actions to God Almighty and to the people who elected them to serve.
He charged Nigerians to continue to dialogue on issues that affect the nation and seek reconciliation, stating: “A forum like this brings us together to talk to one another as Nigerians on issues that affect us all.
“It brings us as Christians, Moslems, northerners and southerners to talk about some home truth about our nation, Nigeria.
“Why wouldn’t people be angry when they feel things are not going right in the country?
“Why do we still have insecurity in the country?
“People are hiding from the truth and giving it all sort of colouration.
“I wish to remind you that insecurity affect us all whether Christians or Muslims, northerner or southerner.
“We have to dialogue with ourselves and seek solution to this problem to have peace.”
Abubakar commended Uduaghan for organising the lecture giving its importance and relevance to today’s Nigeria’s reality and called for continuous communication with one another so as to seek solution to our problems.
Kukah and Okaba, who were the guest lecturers, spoke on the theme: “Anger Management.”
They charged Nigerians to learn to manage their anger and use it positively.
They called for tolerance among the people so that the country would prosper.
Bishop Kukah advocated for today’s children to be taught anger management in school and how to tolerate one another and dialogue with themselves so as to engender love and unity.
Falae, one of the discussants at the lecture, said that anger can be positively managed to bring about progress in the society.
The lecture was attended by members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, traditional rulers, clergy and top government officials and other eminent Deltans.