Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barr George Ariolu, has called for a paradigm shift in mindset among Nigerians and political leaders toward governance and leadership for the country to attain its full potential.
Ariolu made this call on Thursday, while addressing Executives of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, OPA branch who were on a working visit at the Council headquarters, Rumuodomaya.
While speaking, the Council Chairman called for an attitudinal change among aspiring leaders and the electorate, noting that the country had suffered decades of leadership failure at various levels because several people who aspire for public offices failed to equip themselves with the right information and orientation.
He further advocated for a new approach towards leadership and perspective towards public office among Nigerians and the ruling class, while advising those in authority to have a clearly defined purpose of their intention while seeking to lead.
He stressed that the objective of some leaders has constantly remained to retain power within the context of short electoral cycles, noting that most politicians are afraid to undertake the necessary disruptive changes to guarantee long-term safety, development and prosperity for all.
He maintained that the existing trends are totally unsustainable and the system is living on borrowed times, stating that everyone is sleepwalking to the hard place, and praying that somehow a miracle will happen along the way.
The Chairman who outlined some of the Council’s achievements under his watch, said his administration is purposeful in its service to the people.
He also commended the group for the visit which he described as an important motivation for his administration to further improve on its service to the people and development of the Area.
He however emphasised that the desires of his administration to educate its people, especially youths in the area of human capacity development was carved out of the yearnings of electorates.
According to him, the multiplier effect of his administration’s program and policies, particularly the PH.D and Masters grants will have a huge impact on the development of the people, LGA and State at large.
On his part, President of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, OPA branch, Professor Emenike Nyeche Wami who spoke earlier commended Ariolu for the landmark projects, programs and policies of his administration that has advantageously affected the standard of living within the area, congratulating him for his one year in office.
He described Ariolu’s administration as purposeful, disclosing that the group’s visit to the Council was to collaborate and align with his community development blueprint to further bring about positive changes amongst the people.
Meanwhile, Professor Wami has commended Ariolu’s demonstration of true brotherhood through his unmatched show of hospitality and charity towards the people of the LGA and Iwhuruohna at large.
