Don’t Surrender Governance To Unfit Leaders, Gov Mutfwang Tells Graduands

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged Nigerian graduates and educated citizens not to surrender governance and public service to people unfit to lead, warning that the withdrawal of capable and principled individuals from public life allows those least qualified to occupy positions of authority.

Mutfwang gave the charge while delivering a convocation lecture titled, ‘Building the Nigeria We Want: The Role of the Educated Mind’, at the 15th Convocation Ceremony of Veritas University, Abuja, yesterday.

He challenged graduates to see their academic qualifications not merely as personal achievements but as a responsibility to contribute to national development, strengthen public institutions and promote accountable leadership.

According to him, Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges are partly sustained by the absence of well-meaning and qualified citizens from the public arena, leaving leadership positions to individuals who may not prioritise the common good.

“One reason our public square so often disappoints is that too many good people have vacated it, abandoning it to those least fit to occupy it. Government and public service are not dirty words. They are the arenas in which the future of a nation is decided. If the best remain outside, the worst will not,” he said.

The governor urged the graduands to approach public life with renewed hope and a determination to make a difference rather than surrender to the country’s prevailing challenges.

“Enter public life with hope and expectation. Do not surrender to the ills you encounter today. The Bible says, ‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick.’ But when hope is sustained, it creates a pathway to the future.

“Government and public service are not dirty words. I say this as someone who chose this arena, and I do not regret choosing to be here. I urge you to serve wherever you are planted,” he added.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Veritas University, Rev. Fr. Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, emphasised the importance of education in addressing Nigeria’s development challenges, particularly insecurity, saying an educated population would be better positioned to develop constructive solutions to societal problems.

On the responsibility of government to address the challenges confronting young Nigerians, the vice-chancellor said creating an enabling environment was essential to retaining young people and harnessing their potential for national development.

“The government has a responsibility to continue providing a conducive environment for young people to remain in the country and contribute to national development. Whatever we hope to achieve as a nation cannot be realised without an enabling environment.

“If we have insecurity, widespread poverty, corruption and a lack of facilities for young people to develop their potential, it becomes difficult for them to stay,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Visitor to Veritas University, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, urged Christians in positions of authority to allow their faith and the principles of Catholic social teaching to guide their decisions and conduct.

He explained that the Church was encouraging eligible Nigerians to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), collect their cards and participate in elections.

“We are not only praying; we are also sensitising citizens and asking them to ensure that they play their role. It is our collective duty as Nigerians to ensure that we cast our votes.

“We are encouraging Nigerians to collect their PVCs, while those who have not registered should do so. Our Justice, Development and Peace Commissions (JDPCs) are also working very hard to enlighten people and encourage them to go out and vote,” he stated.