Character is basis of good governance —Ezekwesili, Awolowo Dosumu, Ibru, others
Politicalnewz24
This assertion was made by former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, co-chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu and Lady Maiden Ibru, at the maiden edition of the HID Awolowo Foundation Annual Lecture, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday.
The lecture, in honour of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, was entitled, “Ethical Politics, Peace, Development and Security in Nigeria: The Critical Importance of Women’s Leadership.”
The virtues of HID were extolled at the event, which had Senator Daisy Danjuma as chairperson.
Ezekwesili who was the keynote speaker noted that the world was suffering from leadership famine, adding that it could only be redeemed by the molding of good character.
“Whether it is a male or female leader, the character is the underlying factor that will define how our nation will make progress. If you want competency, capacity you can buy them but character is not available to be bought. In this fourth industrial revolution of biotics, stimulations, signs and all kinds of science solution driven, all we need is a disruptive era of the character of the individual. The character of the individual matters most,” she said.
Ezekwesili also said it was time for more women to take charge of leadership positions in the country, to bring about positive development.
She contended that a wise society would know that empowering women was the solution to its problems.
The former minister, who contended that better governance should be expected when women were allowed a space, said it was now time for the country to discard the old system of relegating women to the background in governance.
She asserted that research had since shown that things got better if more women were put in charge of the affair of things.
The guest lecturer, while giving statistics of women in various positions in Africa, including corporate, managerial, parliaments and government, remarked that women were being marginalised and men must take the responsibility of such marginalisation.
According to her, to bring about positive development, the country needed to bring on board, more women to be part of governance at all levels, as well as in the judiciary and the legislature, where they would contribute more to the process of decision making.
Listing features of poor governance to include refuge issues, insecurity, huge unemployment and sharp economic decline, among others, Ezekwesili said these sad features had made Nigeria to be ranked as the 13th most fragile state in the world.
While declaring that good governance had eluded the country for years of its democracy, Dr Ezekwesili, however, contended that no country could solve the problem it had denied.
“You have to take ownership of the problem, that should be the mindset of the leaders,” she said, adding that for all the countries that had been successful in the world, including Singapore, which noted got her independence around the same time with Nigeria, leadership had been key to their success.
According to her, it was also about literacy level, saying while Singapore had 100 per cent literacy level, Nigeria was just about 58 per cent, with Rwanda being 72 per cent.
“That’s why we have to honour Chief Awolowo in this regard,” she said.
The convener of the lecture, Awolowo Dosumu, opined that the building of human character must come before the building of anything else.
She further identified three ways to destroy a nation.
“Three ways to destroy a nation is to destroy the family structure, education and lower their role models and references as such there will be no one to teach the youngsters values, they will lose correct perception of right and wrong of what their best interests are,” she said.
Ibru described a woman as the nurturer meant to mold the character of her children for the good of the society and in all sphere of human endeavours.
“You mustn’t shy away from bringing up your children in the right way. You must pay attention to them. Our government has failed us, but from your home, monitor your children, mentor them rightly. I want women to stand out and be pointed at as women of diligence,” she added.
Also speaking, chairman on the occasion, Senator Danjuma, said women, no doubt, played a key role in bringing about peace in African society, pointing out the purpose of the gathering was to build role models in young and grown-up girls for a better society.
A biography of HID, entitled, “In the Radiance of the Sage” written by Professor Wale Adebanwi, was reviewed by Dr Insa Nolte, who was represented by Dr Olufemi Ogunsaya.
Nolte described HID as “a very supportive, disciplined and courageous wife to her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo,” adding that she stood above partisan politics.
“During the time when Obafemi was politically imprisoned, she played the role of a supportive wife, not because she has any ambition but she wanted him to take up his life where he left after he was released,” he said.
There was an insightful panel session where the older generations were counselled to be positive role models and educate the younger generations on the history of Nigeria. The session was moderated by Mrs Bisi Fayemi and the discussants were Ibru, Hajiya Naja’atu Bala Muhammad, Yemi Adamolekun and Bola Olukanni.
In his goodwill message, the immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, noted that the best way to empower the nation was to empower women.
In his comment, renowned cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare, lauded the leadership quality and virtuous nature of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, who, he said, demonstrated uncommon bravery when he led a campaign for Dr Mike Okpara in 1964.
“This was my first encounter with Mama HID Awolowo. In 1964, she wore a wrapper and led a campaign for Mike Okpara. She was a leader par excellence,” he said.
When taking a biblical insight into the importance of women in the existence of humanity, Pastor Bakare pointed out that based on the account of what happened at the creation, God had clearly placed a lot of responsibilities on the shoulders of women.
Also at the event were the Emir of Songa, Alhaji Alilu Yahaya, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad; representatives of Ooni of Ife; former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; chairperson of the event, Senator Daisy Danjuma and the chairman, African Newspaper of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publisher of Tribune Titles, Reverend Omotola Oyediran.
Others were the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate, Chief Gani Adams; Sir Kessington Adebutu, Erelu Abiola Fernandez, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Chief Kenny Martins, Mr Folu Olamiti, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, Mrs Sade Ogunbiyi, Mrs Dupe Adelaja; Alhaji Tujudeen Olusi, Alhaja Ganiyat Abimbola Jakande, Prince Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Kenny Martins, Professor Bayo Williams, Mr Yinka Odumakin and former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, ANN Plc, Reverend Sam Adesua, among others.