Emulate Late Buhari’s Ethical Life, Iwo-Born Professor Advises Politicians
A former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Lai Olurode, has urged Nigerian politicians to emulate late President Muhammadu Buhari’s ethical life and serve the country with sincerity.
Olurode described the late Buhari and Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as exceptional leaders who stood for what was right.
The retired professor of political sociology at the University of Lagos, disclosed this on Tuesday during a symposium organised for students of The Wings Schools, Iwo, in honour of the late president and monarch.
Olurode said the late president left a legacy that politicians and Nigerians should emulate, adding that Nigeria can be better if everyone decides to act and speak the truth.
He said, “Our politicians should learn from late Buhari. Where they need to spend billions of naira, they may not spend more than a billion of reputation if they are lucky to be among the good ones.
“President Buhari and Awujale were exceptional people. Buhari, as a military and civilian head of state was an exceptional leader. He radiated commitment to nation building not minding whatever sacrifices he had to make. He was an uncommon head of state.
“Where leaders could not parade assetism and indulge in opulence, and Nigerian leaders are among the richest in the world by whatever standard, Buhari will be one of the poorest, if not the poorest, head of state that anybody would have had.
“Its leadership was inspiring, and it was his ethical life that saw him become a civilian president of the country after contesting several times.
“Awujale was also an uncommon monarch. I could recall when other Obas were falling for naira and dollars, Awujale stood firm and said Babangida should declare Abiola the winner of June 12 election. Of course, Awujale paid for that, but it was unforgettable in his life.”
The former INEC National Commissioner urged the students to see good leaders as role models, adding that “We just thought these are the people that we can tell our students about for them to emulate and we will be failing as a school if we don’t let them know how these late leaders were exceptional.”
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
