From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Chimaroke Nnamani, has blamed the country’s socio-economic woes on lack of leadership direction.
He said Nigeria lacked motivational leadership and that this was pulling the country down even as he called for improvement in the nation’s leadership style.
The former Enugu State governor stated this at the public presentation and launching of a book ‘Policy and Strategy for Patriotism, Institution and Economic Development in Nigeria,’ written by Ogbonna Sam Onyeisi held at Enugu Sports Club, Enugu.
Nnamani, represented by Chief Emma Nnamani, said the key strategy for patriotism, institutions and economic development in Nigeria should include leadership.
“Most of the problems besetting the present day Nigeria is lack of motivational leadership. We seem to be running a laissez faire leadership that has little or no task direction. It allows group or individual freedom in decision making – a ‘free rein’ leadership. In such a setting there is an absence of leadership cum patriotism. No appraisal or regulation of the performance of subordinates.
“For instance, how does one expect patriotism from a country that is sharply and bitterly divided and factionalised along tribal, ethnic and religious line? Do we expect patriotism from citizens who are traumatised by deadly activities of marauders who hide under the cloak of cattle rearers and unleash untold violence on them, denying them access to their means of sustenance and livelihood?
“Can we talk of patriotism where the central government has displayed so much indifference and insensitivity to the tears, fears and various aspects of hardship that confront the masses on daily basis?”
The lawmaker lamented that the country was in dire-straight as economic development had been entangled, while the institutions were collapsing.
“We must improve our leadership style so as to enhance better policy and strategy for patriotism, institution and economic development in Nigeria. The Nigerian senate is not relenting in that regard,” he said.
Nnamani commended the author of the book, Onyeisi, for doing a good job, noting that “If we consider the body of thought he developed in this book we can be sure we are dealing with a professional who imbibed the values of in-depth research demanded of a true academic.”