Politics
THE Federal Government on Thursday urged elites in the country to participate fully in the country’s governance to forge national unity.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha gave the charge at the Public Lecture in commomeration of Nigeria’s 62 Independence anniversary, with the theme: ‘Elites and National Unity’.
“The key factor that will drive our attainment of a nationwood as a country is what the elites do, because they are the ones that provide the direction of leadership.
“And they are a reflection of the core values of our society.
Mustapha noted that the issue of trust deficiency was one of the biggest problems that had militated against the harmony and growth of the country, adding that it was also one of the biggest responsibilities of the elite class.
“One of the biggest problems that I know has militated against harmony and the growth of our nation in a particular direction and attaining the trajectory, is the issue of trust deficiency.
“And that I can say, is one of the biggest responsibilities of the elite class.
“We are the ones that have created that trust deficiency to the extent that the followership in this country suspect what government says, and what government does.
“Because we have always manipulated their thinking, we have always manupulated the actions in a particular tendency that will always suit us as the elite class, ” SGF said.
As the 2023 general elections is drawing closer, Mustapha cautioned the elite class to consciously begin to have some introspection to avoid citizens jettisoning on the elite class.
“We must consciously begin to have some introspection as members of the elite class in this country; if not, very soon, the people of this country would have no other alternative but to jettison the elite class.
“And create for themselves, what model of the consciousness the nation should look like, ” SGF said.
While appreciating the Federal Executive Council for the administration’s last independence celebration, Mustapha said it was a long journey away from the desire to attain a nation, where peace and justice reign.
“It’s been a long journey, checkered at sometimes, but it’s been a great experience of the evolution of our country and the desire of our people to build a nation where peace and justice reign. ”
Also, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, the Guest Speaker and a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in his lecture titled: “Elites and National Unity ‘’, called for synergy between the ruling class and the masses .
Afolabi called on leaders to be selfless and dedicated to the plight of citizens and not pay too much attention to authority “because authority is not as important as leadership”.
“Leadership is not authority, personality or blind spot, but it is adapting to the needs of the people. ”
According to him, the mark of leadership is purposeful work, diagnostic work and strategic work; leadership is to be able to respond to shifting values and being creative among others.
Afolabi said most times, the elites were aloof to contributing to nation building and the situation had created a lopsided development in the country.
He said the consequences of the elites aloofness or non-inclusion to nation building effort could cause catastrophe either now or in the future.
“To avert the impending crisis, I will recommend that Nigerian elites must do the following.
“They must realise that for national growth, government must learn to identify those stalling its progress and cut them off as a matter of urgency.
“Partnership with groups in the society and nation building effort must be done in all sincerity and utmost fairness among others. ” (NAN)
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Tags: Boss Mustapha Prof. Oladapo Afolabi
