Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, says leaders should imbibe uprightness in their desire to provide sound leadership that will make the society better for all.
Arakunrin Akeredolu gave the charge during a religious symposium tagged, “Towards The Rebirth of A New Nation: Taking Responsibility For Your Generation”, organized by the Reconciliation House Ministry at its Trans Camp in Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Governor Akeredolu maintained that when Christians in the positions of authority, particularly in political position and other sectors embraced morality, fraud would reduce.
While appreciating the church for clamouring for a better society, the governor expressed optimism that only restructuring where each state would be allowed to tap from and control its resources could take the country to the promised land.
“Let us have true federalism so that the state could grow and submit what will enhance the country to the centre” he said.
Governor Akeredolu argued that it would be difficult to merge some geographical parts of the country with another hence various agitations for breakup would not stand.
“The nation has remained one and will forever remain one irrespective of language or ethnic diversity, there is nothing anybody can do about it”, he stated.
The Governor therefore encouraged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country and her leaders.
Earlier, the host Priest and Convener of the symposium, PastorJoshua Odeyemi had said issues surrounding the birth of the nation required a rebirth through dialogue.
Pastor Odeyemi cautioned those clamouring for a new Nigeria through violence to have a rethink, saying what happened happened to the country in the late 1960s should be better lessons.
“It is no longer tolerable the spate of violence in our nation, no country can exist if the present magnitude of troubles in its land persist, if we say we don’t need a change, it means we’re not thinking very well, this country needs a change.
Also speaking on the role of religious bodies, Pastor Odeyemi said the Church can no longer fold her arms and allow ungodly people dictate the pace of development.
“Churches should question members who pay tithes and offerings if they are at variance with such members’ wages and capacity.
“The Church must stop regarding politics as dirty and evil, rather the Church must emplace credible men and women in politics”.
“We must however utilise sound principles and be “as wise as serpents and as gentle as Doves” in our responses to national issues”, he submitted.
The Cleric and Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ondo, Most Rev. (Dr.) Latunji Lasebikan who charged leaders to be responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of their people, cautioned political leaders against embezzlement.
The Chairman of the symposium and former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae used the occasion to call for the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Confab where more than 600 resolutions were passed by consensus and signed by all participants so as to move the country forward.
In the communiqué at the end of the programme, it was resolved that there must be institutional, structural, socio-political mental and attitudinal change within the nation, while accepting that the unity of the nation remains intact within the precinct of the constitution.
Several thoughtful papers were presented by eminent Nigerians at the symposium of whom,is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure ; Professor Joseph Fuwape and was attended by participants from some African countries.
Also some members of the Ondo State Cabinet who were on the entourage of the governor include: the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde; Kola Olawoye, Esq. Honourable Commissioner for Justice; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; Mr Rasheed Badmus, Honourable Commissioner for Natural Resources; Prince Solagbade Amodeni, Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture.
The Okiti of Iju, Oba Amos Farukanmi and the Alaani of Idoani, OBA (Dr) Major General Olufemi Olutoye, Rtd with his Olori were in attendance.
