Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and 14th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on Thursday, in Lagos, expressed dissatisfaction about the current economic situation of the country and explained that proper structure is key to grooming competent leaders and visionary leadership.
He made this disclosure while giving a speech at the 7th colloquium of Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AFF) to mark the 54th birthday of the founder of the foundation and CEO of St. Rachael’s Pharmaceuticals Nigeria, Mr Akinjide Adeosun.
Sanusi who bemoaned the current situation and happenings in the country said nothing seems to work and the country keeps getting deep into a hole.
“Speaking about leadership in Nigeria today is something of a constant talk, you look around and you find very little to praise because ultimately the success of leaders should be seen on ground”. He said.
“The level of poverty, the level of insecurity, the rate of inflation, the lack of power of production and low production, this country is the only country among oil producing country that is grieving, Our total revenue is not able to service our debt, so people have a right to ask what’s happening” He added.
Sanusi stressed further that selecting leaders are based on what the leaders can offer to the followers while selecting a leader should be based on criteria’s like competence and being visionary.
“People openly talked and it is n the papers, about how much money is being paid to delegates, these are people who are supposed to choose the leaders of our country and leaders of the state”
“These are people who aspire to be leaders of the country, leaders have he seats and the only thing they have to offer is to go and pay the delegates to vote for them, after they’ve paid, where is the vision? We don’t even need them to share the vision because they don’t have any”
“How many times do we get political Candidates to go on proper debate? How do they intend to address inflation? We need to begin to understand that first and foremost, leadership is about a vision and begin to insist that we want to see that vision.”
He however explained that there are people who are competent and qualified to rule the country because of the current structure and lack of necessary resources.
“And the reality is that there are many Nigerians who if given the opportunity would do well but they simply cannot contest in that space, they can’t, they will be dead, they don’t have the money, they can’t pay folks to win an election, they can’t share the blood of the people because they want to be in office” he explained.
Sanusi Urged Nigerians not to lose hope but speak up and play their respective roles by being courageous.
“But should we lose hope? the answer is no, every Nigerian has to play their role, we need the courage to stand up and speak, this is our country”.
In his own remarks, AFF founder and celebrant, Mr Akinjide Adeosun said the foundation is aimed at grooming future leaders with capabilities in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Adeosun said Nigeria need thought leaders, leaders chosen based on what they could offer especially to the masses, leaders who can identify potentials, support them and contribute significantly to nation building, economic and social development.
