By Felix Khanoba
The Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, says Nigeria has all its takes to find solution to leadership challenges in the country.
The Vice Chancellor made this known on Friday in Abuja during the 3rd induction ceremony of postgraduate students of the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC) domiciled in the university.
The AUTHORITY reports that the ALC is a Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Centre of Excellence in Public Governance and Leadership.
Speaking at the event, which had its theme as ‘Leadership and Politics : Towards a Paradigm Shift in Africa’, Professor Na’Allah tasked the new inductees to live up to expectations by becoming leaders that would bring about positive changes in the country.
His words : “You are admitted to Abuja Leadership Centre so that you can be the leaders that will change the fortune for Nigeria.
“You are not admitted here as a decoration, you are here very importantly, to take up the challenge and help this nation, and stand up as members of Abuja Leadership Centre; saying yes, we know our problems is leadership, we are the leaders and we will change it.
“We want from now on that you should be counted wherever you are as part of the solution to the leadership problem in Nigeria.
” Practicalise the theories you are bringing together and let the whole world know that the reason you are different is also because you are a member of the centre.”
The Vice Chancellor also called on the new inductees to shun any form of corruption and anything that would damage their integrity and image of the country.
“If we hear your name linked to fraudsters, University of Abuja will feel ashamed. If we have opportunity, we are going to publicly renounce you and say we take away our PhD from you.
“We want to see you as part of solution for Nigeria. That is what University of Abuja wants and that is why we are inducting you here today,” he added.
Also speaking, the Guest Lecturer and President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, expressed the need to have all-round leadership and governance system that accommodate every strata of the society.
He said; “We must promote inclusive governance in Africa. When we talk of inclusivity our minds go to women and youths. That’s not all we have in the society. We have those who today are called people with disabilities they are also human beings. We need to bring them in.”
Neliaku, expressed delight on the role being played by University of Abuja in redefining education to usher in character, industry and robust development.
On his part, the Director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Prof. Phillip Afaha said the ALC came into force threwe years ago to promote, develop, research and train individuals on leadership.
He commended Professor Na’Allah and TETFund over the support for the Centre, even as he challenged the new inductees, who now double as students of the university and members of the Centre, to give their the best in the programme.
