Symposium on leadership recruitment process in Edo State holds in Abuja, as NAESI Sets Agenda
By Genesis ogiri, Abuja
Friday Newsway Media reports that, Association put together a symposium with the theme: Leadership Recruitment Process in Nigeria: Edo State Imperative.
The event, which took place at the National Merit Award House in Abuja, featured the three major contending candidates as guest speakers. They are Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olumide Akpata Osaigbovo Esq, candidate of the Labour Party, and Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party. It was learned that, all the candidates were absent and ably represented by their cronies.
The keynote speaker is Barr. Collins Aimuan, General Secretary of the Private University Owners Association of Nigeria and Founder of Phillomat University, Abuja.
Barr. Collins, Said character, competence, intellectual prowess and capacity to determine who leads Edo State in the forthcoming election.
He said the 21st Century governor should be a person with track record of accountability, financial management and visible records of achievement.
Adding that, leadership is life and the ultimate power belongs to the people. He charged the participants to take the driver's seat by actively involve in the forthcoming election as the destiny of Edo State depends on the good leadership.
Thirty-eight-year-old Omobayo Godwins Marvellous, Edo State Deputy Governor, while speaking at the event expressed gratitude and satisfaction to the organizer of the event.
He said Democracy is not a destination but a process or application aimed at solving a new problem. He maintained that a leader that will lead Edo State now , should be a person of impeachable character, visionary, academic superior and integrity.
He lauded the current administration of governor Goodwin Obaseki, noting that the achievements of this administration cannot be readout. He said, leadership is not all about political affiliation but antecedent and personal track record.
In his word no leader wants to fail and this gathering is beyond now and this is center on Edo project, we must get it right, he said.
Dr. TONY Ikpazaja who represented APC candidate, emphasized on building inclusivity in governance, sensitivity of followership and the strengthening of internal democracy. He said political thurggery in various levels should be avoided.
He further stressed the need for institutional transformation, reformation of public services and effective service delivery. He said the role of security agency, press and INEC in leadership recruitment process should not be checked
" He pointed that, leaders should not damage the political trajectory of the state. Adding that, one modules of training, selection and recognition should be established for citizenry at all times
"He maintained that , leadership recruitment process entails good decision making. He advised that, they should be promotion and recognition of external or diaspora impact on our state's economy
In the same vein, PDP candidate, represented by Ambassador Tony Okonigene, said leadership recruitment process starts from party primary.
Noting that every leaders is a servant, there is a need to interrogate our leaders, Interrogate the e role of political party, nurture the change and interrogate the change in our leadership recruitment exercise.
" Edo State needs governor that is well versatile in knowledge and competence to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at all levels.
He stressed the need for citizenship awareness and mass education, he encouraged everyone on active participation in this recruitment process.
Dcn. Festus Osaigie Osaigbovo, director general, Edo State liaison office, Abuja. He said it is important to see and know who sits on power, because it may impact negatively or positively on the lives of the people. We have seen how governance change our lives drastically in recent time.
Imokhede Dotun Agbi , National president, (NAESI) expressed delight and satisfaction to all the participants who honored this year symposium that is gear towards effective leadership recruitment process. He said, " we are looking forward to the law that will establish recruitment process in our dear state, this is a problem that bothered the hearts of every man not only in Edo State but Nation at large
According to him, the issue of leadership recruitment at all levels of governance in the country, is central to current national predicament; and getting it right is key to the resolution of poor governance and development processes.
Amb.Dr. Orobo Peter, the financial secretary, (NAESI) said It is not too late to get it right ; we must pick up the gauntlet, as we are truly running out of time. We must contribute to the development of a criteria to be used to mobilize citizens for good leadership recruitment for the 2024 Edo elections and beyond. This is a task that must be done.
He stated that, this symposium is also the avenue to educate our people home and abroad on the need to participate in the forthcoming election by actively involve, nothing that the 80% of the recruitment process is in the hand of the people.
Mr. Wole Mathew Akinriboya, said that the country produced leaders who are at peace with compromising public goods for personal interest and subvert the common goods. It was on this fact that he said, the incoming governor of Edo State should be a person of integrity and upright Man that will spread the dividends of democracy across the state irrespective of party affiliation.
Newsway Media Understands that, Nigerians belong to the category of the unfortunate citizens of the world in whose leadership, though in the context of a civil democratic dispensation, leaves much to be desired, in terms of a sustainable vision for our country’s development, selflessness in elective public leadership positions, competence and capacity to lead a country in the 21st century, and in terms of having an enlightened self-interest to galvanise and forge elite consensus on how to reposition, stabilise and develop the country on a sustainable basis.
As the event unfolded, it became evident that this symposium on leadership recruitment process in Nigeria, the case study of Edo State was more than just a milestone; it was a testament to the yearning of people to build a shared future for all around political leadership that will answer the crying of the people and to ensure democratic dividends spread across board in Building strong Nation. Also the ability of NAESI to bring in technocrats and leaders together in joyous camaraderie. The overwhelming response from the attendees, who left the event fulfilled and yearning for more, spoke volumes about the success of the program and the anticipation for future engagements.
Leaders may come and go but good policies will Navigate development!
