Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has said that a life of service to humanity and exemplary leadership is urgently needed to deepen the democratic culture in Nigeria.
Ambode made the observation yesterday in Lagos while speaking as guest lecturer at the Annual Lecture and Awards Luncheon of The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association in Nigeria.
The same view was shared by Dehab Ghebreab, public affairs officer, US Consulate General, Lagos, who represented the envoy; Olabintan Famutimi, patron of the association and national president Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce; Jude Emene, president of the association; Bola Akinterinwa, a professor and director-general, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), and Juliet Agu, senior lecturer at the Career Management Office, Federal Training Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Deepening the Democratic Culture in Nigeria,’ the governor said he had nothing else to give to humanity than to uphold the tenets of good governance. He said: “With good governance, we will be in a good position to deepen the democratic culture.”
In her remarks, Dehab Ghebreab said the essence of the Hubert H. Humphrey exchange programme was to instil in the consciousness of Fellows the importance of service to mankind.
“Today’s event showcases the collective contribution of Humphrey Fellows in promoting democracy, unity and national development. We are also here to celebrate achievements of our Fellows and some Nigerians who exemplify service and leadership in their various communities,” she said.
Olabintan Famitimi, chairman of the occasion, urged Nigerian leaders to shake off the euphoria of a successful election and begin to assume more emphatic role, to foster good governance, accountability and stability in the polity.
Bola Akinterinwa, a panel discussant, said for a democratic culture to be deepened in the country, political practitioners must change their orientation about the game of politics. He said it was impossible to deepen democracy, as according to him, “you can’t deepen what does not exist. I want to say, there’s no democratic culture in Nigeria.”
Zebulon Agomuo
