By Ehichioya Steve Odion
It has been advocated that to get the electoral process right in Nigeria, focus should not only be on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, but also on other stakeholders in the election management process.
This was disclosed yesterday by Prof.Tonie Iredia, a keynote speaker during the inauguration of the Dr. Osahon Enabulele Foundation And Colloquium in Benin City.
In the lecture titled: "Election Management And Leadership Recruitment Process In Nigeria: The Way Forward" Prof. Iredia said that in Nigeria election are not managed but conducted.
He said any election that is properly managed will produce a genuine leadership.
He emphasize that getting a free process during elections, focus should not only be on INEC, but on the conducts of other managers like the security agencies, the adhoc staff and others, if the elections must be successful.
"The managers of the elections must ensure that rules and regulations are followed to the letter. We must also adopt technology if we are to move forward in election management. Good election will no doubt produce good leaders and the voters will be happy that the person they voted for won. We should also ensure experts are allowed to manage the process of elections".
Prof. Iredia advised Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands and ensure they do everything possible to put a stop to the culture of poor election management in the country.
On his part, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae who dwelled on Leadership, said poor leadership has been the major problem in Nigeria, adding that it was the reason the country remains where she is today.
He however, said that the world in general have been searching for good leadership in order to make the society a better place to live in.
Prof Osaghae said leadership go with power, adding that if one is not able to exercise that power positively, it means there is no leadership.
He said leaders are usually chosen from gatherings of people when majority unanimously agreed. " You can only have good leadership through people with knowledge and vision. Every society gets the kind of leadership they deserve. If Nigeria can unite, the country will be great and become a force to reckon with at the global stage.
"We must acknowledge our consciousness that things are not presently right. We must have a common purpose and common vision and mission to be able to have a society that cares for everyone".
He said in Nigeria, leadership has become transactional, adding that those who want to lead must prove to the people that they posses qualities that support their common purpose.
The chairman of the occasion, and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Edoba Omoregie praised Dr. Osahon Enabulele for setting up the foundation that would Carter for the needs of the average Nigerian.
Prof. Omoregie acknowledged the pains and suffering in Nigeria, and therefore called on the leadership of the country to profer workable solutions to identified problems bedeviling the nation so that the poor in the society can breathe.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General and Founder of the Dr. Osahon Enabulele Foundation, Dr. Osahon Enabulele said undoubtedly, most Nigerians have been plunged into a miasma of hopelessness and unfathomable depths of disillusionment, due to leadership failure.
He said that things have become so bad in the country to the extent that the first question an average Nigerian ask himself when confronted with some life situations is “Why am I still in Nigeria? Why don't I japa? But can everyone japa?
He said really and truly, Nigeria has virtually descended to a pitiable and worrisome situation where everyone is now virtually struggling for survival and for the very basic things of life.
Enabulele however admitted that the challenges have got some regional and global dimensions requiring necessary synergies at those levels to tackle them head on through conscious commitment to progressive reforms by empowered citizens, and altruistic votaries of progressive social .
He said that a resort to lamentation or sycophantic choir can do nothing to reverse the global, regional, national, and sub national challenges but a conscious synergy between the leaders and the citizens.
Speaking on the objectives of the foundation, Enabulele said it intends to pursue his vision through the empowerment of citizens, particularly the vulnerable groups, by promoting initiatives for leadership excellence and good governance, as well as human capital development, including but not limited to mentorship, access to quality healthcare and education.
Others he said are fostering of community development through targeted programmes, and empowerment of young people to rise above their limitations and achieve their dreams in Life.
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