The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has charged leaders of the country to be ready to give their all in service to the people, News About Nigeria reports.
He gave this charge while speaking at a state banquet organised for the Muslim Ummah in the state as part of this year’s Eid-al-Adha celebrations in Yenagoa on Monday.
The governor urged the political class in the country, including himself, to appreciate the temporal nature of leadership by making necessary sacrifices to better the lot of the people while in office.
Governor Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted that the banquet was put together by his administration in the spirit of sacrifice and love that the Islamic festival symbolises.
He identified the lack of selfless and sacrificial leaders both at the national and sub-national levels as a major stumbling block to the development of the country.
“Nigeria is where it is today because truly selfless and patriotic leaders who are ready to serve the people, rather than being served, are in acute short supply.”
“Prophet Ibrahim was obedient to Allah, even to the point of sacrificing his son in order to be blessed. So the lesson for us is to be willing to make sacrifices for society to become a better place.
“If you go to Bauchi State and see the House of the late Tafawa Balewa, you will agree with me that he served selflessly; the same is the story of the Saudauna of Sokoto and our own Chief Melford Okilo, who was the first civilian Governor of old Rivers State from Ogbia here.
“They were all sacrificial leaders who served the people of this country well. But today, everybody wants to be served.
“Everybody who finds himself or herself in leadership wants to amass wealth to the detriment of the people,” he stated.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians, leaders, and followers alike, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice and obedience to God and their government to foster a united, peaceful, and progressive society.
