Former Nigerian Ambassador on Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) in Switzerland, Mustapha Tunde Mukaila, has said “the time has come when the country’s polity must strive to build in our politicians a culture of diligence, dedication which must go hand in hand with good character or emotional intelligence”.
Speaking with FREEDOM ONLINE in an exclusive telephone interview, he pointed out that the state of the nation appears hanging in the balance, given the present parlous state of the economy, the global meltdown in oil earnings which are the mainstay of the economy and the attendant general palpable fear among the populace.
“This is a unique moment for you as politicians to rise to the challenges, complementing the untiring efforts of the present administration in evolving innovative and plethora of policies and programmes that will chart a new path for national development”.
The Diplomat further asserted that “if there is any strategy we need as a country to address the current leadership deficits, there must be a systematic realignment of programmes.
“Leaders who have moral backbone and whose perspectives about life is not limited to compulsive acquisition of material wealth. We need people who are patriotic, selfless and driven by nationalistic fervour”.
Mukaila also advised public office holders to put up a united front that will consider the promotion and deepening of ethical and moral values in governance.
He said enforcing discipline and uprightness in public administration will reduce the moral deficits bedevilling the country.
Such moves, Mukaila said, will lead to the emergence of a crop of leaders that are disciplined, forthright and that which exhibit integrity in all spheres of their lives, including their political lives.
