The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has
called on Nigerians to have a change in attitude and orientation for the
country to make progress even as the nation is passing through challenging
times.
Dogara said if Nigeria is to witness significant improvement in quality of
leadership and governance, then citizens must change for the better as
leaders are recruited from among them.
The Speaker made the call on Saturday, during a thanks giving service
organised by Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba at ECWA Church, Chigwa, Kaduna
state, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Turaki Hassan.
Dogara maintained that while Nigerians expect leaders to live higher
standards of life as role models, the followers must also know that
leaders are recruited from among them.
He charged Nigerians to, as a matter of necessity, show higher standards
of conduct even as they expect same from their leaders.
“There are always expectations from citizens for leaders to show a higher
standard of behaviour. Obviously, it is good that those who call
themselves leaders must always aspire to maintain higher standards, but
what is wrong with the narrative especially in Nigeria is that in most
cases, citizens expect that only leaders must live above board.”
“This nation can only make progress if all the citizens and leaders
resolve that in their daily undertakings they will maintain the best of
standards. This is because the leadership recruitment process is such that
leaders always emerge from the people.”
He admonished politicians to put their trust in God because “power comes
from God, victory comes from God, and no one, no matter how powerful
he/she is can give you power.”
The Speaker, who described Hon. Jagaba as an excellent leader in the
House, also commended him for his credible representation and always being
in the centre of activities in the green chamber.
He also called on Nigerians to return their elected representatives to
office during elections because lawmakers do well with experience.
In his testimony, Hon. Jagaba urged Nigerians to eschew religious and
ethnic sentiments which have divided the country for decades.
He said the electorate should rather lay emphasis on individual character
and not political party affiliation and revealed that he has forgiven all
those who plotted evil against him in the 2015 general elections.
In his sermon, ECWA President Reverend, Dr. Jerimiah Gado, said by design
God created and saved humanity to live a life of gratitude, service,
praise and worship in accordance with the book of Revelations 4:11.
The Speaker was accompanied by Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, Senator Binta
Garba, Deputy Minority Leader Buba Jibril, Minority Whip Yakubu Barde and
scores of members of the House of Representatives.