Golden dreams of Nigeria scuttled by successive inept, corrupt leaders- spiritualist

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

A spiritualist and custodian of Igbo culture, Chief Dr Ramas Okoye-Asuzu (Akajiofo Ndi-Igbo), on Monday, lamented that the golden dreams of the founding fathers of Nigeria have been scuttled by successive corrupt and inept leaders.

Okoye-Asuzu argued that countless negative government policies have turned into a stumbling blocks that makes the country's natural and human capital endowments count for nothing.

He stated this on occasion of his 68 year old birthday celebration marked with pomps and pageantry at the Temple of Justice, Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, noting that God has provided him with solutions to the diverse challenges.

According to him, the negative policies affecting the country were endless and include ownership of oil wells, immunity of corrupt officials, lopsided appointment of INEC officials, allowing corrupt people to manage NYSC, among others.

"Our oil is a natural gift from God. This gift should not be in the hands of a few unpatriotic Nigerians. Our oil wells should be nationalized. It belongs to the people and not to a handful of corrupt persons who have exploited our oil resources for their own selfish gains. Our oil is our commonwealth that should be used for the general good of all Nigerians.

" The immunity clause in our constitution has been serially abused by the high and mighty in the corridors of power. People especially the political class hide under the protection of their immunity status to break the law because their immunity makes them above the law. For such reasons the immunity of people especially the political class should be revoked to checkmate the excesses of these unscrupulous persons.

"INEC should be overhauled for the general good of the voting population. The INEC chairman should be a de-tribalised and unbiased umpire who can conduct free and fair elections that will enthrone the right leaders for the country. Prof. Humphrey Nwosu"s Option A4 which is a classical, tried and trusted electoral process should be adopted from free and fair elections."

On the NYSC, Okoye-Asuzu bemoaned the activities of corrupt officials, who according to him, have compromised the system and urged the Federal government to overhaul and reform the scheme.

"This laudable project for national integration should be reformed to meet with the ideals of the concept which has been compromised by successive corrupt officials at the helm of its affairs," he added.

He equally urged the Federal government to tackle the state of insecurity and what he termed the the horrifying display of impunity by bands of bandits as it was becoming alarming and greatly disturbing. 

"Our armed forces should be trained in modern ways of combating insecurity. This is the 21st century and our armed forces should be reformed and equipped with the tolls to suit the changing times. Also, part of the reform will involve weeding of all the bad eggs in the Police Force that have made the country a living hell," he noted.

The spiritualist further enjoined the government at all levels to stop excessive spending by reducing the numbers of appointments, including the resources thrown out on public events without recourse to the basic amenities that could better the lives of the masses.

"This constitutional provision should be respected and applied as in a true democracy. The powers of the three arms of government namely the Executive, the Legislature and then Judiciary should be separated. Each should be independent and act as checks and balances that ensures that no arm oversteps its limits. This arrangement forstalls the extravagant resources lavished by the Executive arm on the Legislators and the Judiciary which compromises their conscience and makes them willing tools of the Executive arm ot government. This situation results in unchecked bad governance.

"Honourable members should be paid sitting allowances only. The extravagant resources lavished on Honourable members by the Executive arm of government compromises their consciences making them willing tools of the Executive. Also, Honourable members should not see their elections into the National and State Assemblies as permanent jobs. They only attend plenary sessions and get paid for that only.

"All tiers of government should curtail the excesses which makes governance very expensive. They should do away with expensive bulletproof cars. If you are doing well, why should you be afraid of an attack. Extravagant allowances and appointment of so many Personal Assistants and Advisers and sundry political appointments.

"Cut down on inflated allowances, extensive entourage, inflated contracts etc. In fact, all government expenditures and unnecessary baggages should be curtailed. Governments should go beyond construction of roads. Emphasis should shift to the provision of necessary infrastructure that has the potential of truly developing their respective states.

"I wish to appeal to the conscience of our political office holders, the intelligentsia, Labour leaders,, market executives, the business community, the clergy etc to graciously apply the best practices of their respective professions in all their undertakings to make the country a great place for all."