The quest for a Nigeria that is economically strong with good infrastructure development is only possible with active and responsible followership, the pro-chancellor of Adeleke University, Dr Adedeji Adeleke said.
In an address at the 9th undergraduate and 5th postgraduate convocation of the university yesterday, the business mogul and founder of the university, challenged the stereotype of blaming only the national leadership for the poor state of the nation, affirming that Nigeria cannot get out of the wood unless the followership accepts responsibility in nation building.
In his address titled “Change Begins with You”, the chairman of Pacific Holdings Limited lamented the increasing rejection and maltreatment of Nigerians in several countries and posited that most challenges drawing the nation back are traceable to both followership refusal to take responsibility and the leadership complacency in the face of willing citizenry.
Emphasising the critical role of citizenship in nation building, the founder of the Adeleke University told the new graduates that they can build a new country by making a difference through responsible citizenship.
“In Nigeria, we blamed the leaders. What about the followership? Citizenship comes with responsibility. Building a nation does not rest on leadership alone. When everybody contributes their quota, the nation grows and develops.
“You can start by holding your leaders accountable. Developed democracies are what they are because of active citizenship. Young ones can still build a new Nigeria. There are many reasons for my optimism. If you are determined to change the narrative, to make a difference, you can do it within ten to fifteen years.
“Look at Nigerians in diaspora. Best minds in American medicine are Nigerians. In IT, Nigerians are next to India. They do well because they function in a society where followership holds the leadership to account for good governance.
“Change the narrative. Let the change for a positive and new Nigeria starts with you. Let not have youth corpers colluding with election riggers. Let’s stop followers vandalizing public infrastructures. Let’s put an end to young graduates engaging in thoughtless money rituals instead of entrepreneurship.
“Followers should redirect their frustration to monitoring and policing the leadership, to stopping election rigging and to active participation in the governance process. It is not late for Nigeria. We are blessed with a young brilliant population. You can turn Nigeria around. Everybody must contribute something. We must not just blame the leaders,” he admonished.
