New York, June 13, 2021
Some Nigerian-American leaders of US-based organisations have called on Nigerian leaders to adopt best practices in democracy to govern the country.
The officials gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York.
The officials, who spoke against the background of the 2021 Democracy Day Celebration, said Nigerian leaders were aware of what worked in other stable democracies and urged them to adopt such.
Mr Olaniyi Kareem, Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria-USA Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), called on Nigerians to demand good governance from their leaders.
Kareem, who is also an Assistant Secretary-General, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation – Americas (NIDOA) Board of Trustees (BOT) said security, transparency, accountability, economic development and drastic mitigation of corruption were some benefits of democracy.
He added that the benefits of democracy should expectedly be good governance, where the primary role of the government is to secure the life, safety and property of the governed.
“The governed are at liberty to pursue and enjoy their livelihood and happiness, reap the benefits of their labour without fear of persecution, harassment, danger to health, freedom, life and property.
“Hopefully, those benefits and dividends will begin to be harvested in the very near future,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Darligton George, Vice Chairman, NIDOA, said Nigerians were widely dissatisfied with democracy due to the attitude of some of their leaders.
“The Nigerian state is perceived as not running for the benefit of all, but for a select few in the political and elite class.
“Nigerians are more dissatisfied than satisfied with the way democracy is working in the country because they see the country as not being run for the benefit of all,” he said.
George, therefore, advised the nation’s leaders to leverage on both the potential of the country and the opportunity afforded them to build a strong and vibrant country, carrying the citizens along.
“Leadership is like parenting; the more you invest in your wards, the more they will achieve,” he said.
The official also advised Nigerians to believe in the unity of the country, be resilient in their struggle against political corruption and bad leadership, and demand results from their leaders.
“Consolidating true democracy takes time and requires the participation of the people.
“Let us continue to trust in our diversity and leverage on its strength to build a country that we all will be proud to call our own,” he advised.