The Aare Mayegun of Owu kingdom, Abeokuta, Aare Kazeem Bakinson, has opined that the various challenges facing the country are as a result of poor leadership.

Bakinson noted that while Nigeria is blessed with natural resources and hardworking people, its lacks morally upright leaders and has inadequate law enforcement.

He expressed regret over the decline in accountability and contended that the nation will experience significant changes in its infrastructure, security, and health sector, among other areas, once the right leadership was in place.

The regional and urban planning expert stated this on Saturday at a press conference heralding the second edition of the Ajiboson platform annual symposium.

The symposium themed, Importance of Leadership in Governance will be held on Friday, 24th of October at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

According to him, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde will chair the event, while former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), and Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation, will serve as guest speakers with Dr Muiz Banire, SAN, delivering the keynote address.

His words, “We are blessed with natural resources, we’re blessed with hard working people but leadership is the problem in Nigeria, we do not have leaders.

“Leadership is about integrity and integrity is what you do when no one is looking at you. If we get our leadership right, our roads will be better, the hospital will be well managed, cultism will reduce in the universities and the family unit will be better.

Bakinson criticized the gap between political leaders and the communities they serve, noting that many local government chairmen do not live in their constituencies, while 70 percent of buildings are unapproved by the government.

“We are in a situation where the chairman of a local government does not live in the local government, 70 percent of our buildings do not even have approval. A country that is successful is because of its leadership, we have leaders that don’t know what they are doing”.

Stressing that there are gaps everywhere, Bakinson insisted that the Ajibosin platform is a non-political intellectual movement designed to promote integrity, accountability, and excellence in leadership.

Nigeria’s challenges stem from poor leadership – Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom