By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – A Professor of Arts and Member, Governing Board of the University of Abuja, Prof. Saint Gbilekaa says Nigeria needs leaders who are focused and committed to the needs of the people.
Gbilekaa said this during a thanksgiving service to mark his 66th birthday, held at the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST), on Sunday in Gwagwalada.
“If we have good leaders who have vision, if we have good leaders who think, emphasise on the people’s needs, then we will have good governance.
“But so long as we elect people on the basis of ethnicity, religious sentiments, then we will never have good government, neither can we move forward,” he added.
He said only such leaders would be able to bring the country out of its present ruins.
“If we have people who have vision, people who think alike, not about the money but the name one will make and leave a legacy behind, we will move forward and excell,” Gbilekaa added.
The university don also said there was need to encourage young people and steer them away from all negative tendencies.
“We should have centres that will encourage the youth to get some kind of education, whereby they will be taught some morals.
“You don’t need to steal, get into drugs; you don’t need to get into exams malpractice.
“Families should be more responsible, get close to their children, advise them instead of running away from the children because we are pursuing money,” he said.
Professor Gbilekaa and his wife, Hileseen during the service.
According to him, without proper guidance, more youths will embrace violent conduct to survive.
He added that government must take conscious steps to address the level of unemployment and poverty in the country.
In his sermon, Pastor Jacob Igyar, the Resident Pastor NKST Nyanya, advised Christians to return to God for a turnaround in their lives.
He added that God created mankind to worship Him and serve humanity.
Igyar said every mortal must account for their deeds, as such Christians should use the opportunities in their lives to reconcile with God and ask for His favour and grace.
“When you are forgiven, please do not thread the same path, ensure you do something positively to impact humanity in your life.
“Remember you are created here on earth for two purposes, to worship God and to serve humanity,” the cleric said.
Prayers were also offered for the celebrant.
Those in attendance include, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, Amb. Iyorwuese Hagher, the President, African Leadership Institute, USA and the first female Speaker in Africa and Benue House of Assembly, Mrs Margaret Icheen.
Others are members of State and National Assembly, students and colleagues of Gbilekaa. (NAN / vitalnewsngr.com)
