By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Retired Archbishop of the Diocese of Calabar Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Tunde Adeleye, says until and unless there is true federalism in Nigeria, nothing will work.
Adeleye stated this during his second birthday colloquim convened by the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Calabar, Rt. Rev. Nneoyi Onen Egbe and held at Event 45 conference centre in Calabar, the Cross River capital.
The celebrant also argued that only true federalism would lead to the creation of transformational leaders, who in turn would demonstrate such feats in their areas of domain.
“If we want to create leaders that are properly transformed, then we have to route them in their places of origin and bring them up in that area so that they can transform that area.
“When you bring somebody from the north to come and transform oil in the east, he didn’t see oil where he is coming from, so he does not know how to transform it, it is only true federalism that is the only way,” Adeleye said.
The retired Archbishop who refused to toe the path of those who believe that young politicians are better in delivering good governance, remarked that, both the old and young are entangled in the web of corruption.
“Even if you put the younger people it will still be the stealing, all of them will still function same.
“Some of the people that are being tried now are younger people in politics, they are being tried by EFCC and all that with their forefathers and fathers, all of them.
“There is no reason why someone should stay in Abuja and tell somebody in Calabar when to go on holidays or where the Police is to function or not to function, you cannot continue like this and expect transformational leadership,” the revered clergy said at the event which has as its theme, “recovering Nigeria through transformational leadership.”
In a keynote speech, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ika, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Ekpenisi, argued that one of the main ways that Christians can positively influence the society and make a difference is to get involved in politics, business and social action.
Other areas he recommended for Nigerians to experience transformation includes, the review of educational system, full political participation, accountability, openness to new thinking, among others.
The event featured exchange of gifts, cutting of the birthday cake and free speeches.
