The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has called on the nation’s leaders to adopt a lifestyle of selfless service, citing the life of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as a benchmark for integrity and people-centric governance.
Ndukuba stated that those in positions of authority must move away from self-interest and focus on the divine and communal responsibilities of their offices. He emphasised that leadership is a calling that requires individuals to prioritise the needs of the people and the mandates of God over personal enrichment.
The Primate’s remarks, which highlighted the historical impact of the late Awolowo, were made during a declaration regarding the ethical standards required of public officials. He specifically urged leaders to live not for themselves, but for the people they were called to serve.
The benchmark of selfless governance
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, often referred to as the “Sage,” left a lasting footprint on Nigerian political history through his emphasis on social democracy and human capital development. His tenure as the Premier of the Western Region is frequently cited by historians for its transformative social programmes, most notably the introduction of free primary education.
By invoking Awolowo’s name, Ndukuba is addressing a growing concern regarding the disconnect between political rhetoric and the lived realities of Nigerians. The Primate’s message suggests that the current social and economic challenges facing the country require a return to the principles of service-oriented governance that defined Awolowo’s era.
The call for a return to ethical leadership follows a period of intense debate regarding governance, inflation, and social inequality in Nigeria. While the Primate’s remarks are moral in nature, they carry weight in the ongoing discourse regarding the political direction and stability of the country.
The Church of Nigeria has not yet announced any specific policy directive or upcoming programme arising from these remarks.
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