From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Former Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has called on leaders across the country to ensure they use public funds entrusted in their care, for public good.
Obi made the call in Umuahia, Abia State during the 10th anniversary of a Pro-Igbo organization, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF).
He said it would be the height of distrust for any leader to misuse or divert public funds entrusted into his care, to private use.
The former governor of Anambra State said it was criminal for any leader in position of public funds to appropriate them to personal use.
Obi said while as governor of Anambra State, he did not see public fund as his which was why he left over $150m when he left office.
“I left the money before leaving office despite the fact my administration was not owing any worker or contractor. This was made possible because I saw public money as not mine, but that of the people and should be used for public good.”
He advised Nigerians against sycophancy, eulogizing their leaders when they are doing the wrong thing, saying by so doing, Nigeria will be better.
He advised the nation’s political leaders to work closely with traditional rulers as to be able to get their fatherly advice and wisdom.
Founder and former chairman of ADF, Prof T. Uzodinma Nwala said the colloquium that gave birth to ADF attracted well over 2,500 people from different parts of the world.
Prof Nwala said the aim of forming ADF was for it to serve as an intellectual and strategic powerhouse for Alaigbo.
“Alaigbo was devastated by war since last century, neglected as a punitive measure, abandoned with denied infrastructure, infested by unemployment, poverty and resultant crime wave.
“Our neighbours now mock us (Ndi anyi ka nma, nakozi anyi Onu). Ironically we have developed other lands and ignored our own. If we invest 40 percent of our investments in just other parts of Nigeria, Igbo land would be the economic heartland of Africa,” he said.
Chairman on the occasion, Major General Chris Eze (rtd) said despite the multifaceted challenges that faced Ndigbo after the civil war, they were able to surmount the material aspects of those challenges.
“The peculiar political environment of the South East which is in large part a product of their yet incomplete reabsorption into the national political mainstream has understandably affected the wholesale reception of ADF’s message and the application of its Miro and macro recommendations.”
He commended Prof Nwala for his vision in establishing ADF, and added that with good leadership, which ADF advocates, Nigeria will be better.
ADF’s new chairman, Coleman Chukudelunzu , hanked members for his election and pledged to work for the good of Igbo land.