By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
As the 2023 general elections is fast approaching, the Ibadan Varsity Christian Union, (IVCU) Alumni Fellowship on Saturday asked Nigerians to elect leaders that are discreet and wise in the 2023 general elections .
Addressing a press conference at the University of Ibadan Chapel of Resurrection during the body’s annual programme, the World President IVCU Alumni Fellowship, Dr Emmanuel Ajala declared that Nigeria as at present, needs leaders that can take wise, godly and sound counsel for the nation.
According to Dr Ajala, ” when the seats of wise elders and leaders are ceded to charlatans and thieves, then we should expect everything willy-nilly in the city”, adding, ” every nation has a gate and this gate is very critical to the life and survival of any nation. Only wise men sit at the gates to take counsel on the affairs of any nation.
” When the seats of wise elders and leaders are ceded to charlatans and thieves, then we should expect everything willy-nilly in the city. If the men at the gates are not of one accord, then, the citizens will be in discord and and the city in disorder. It is on this note that we bring the first level of counsel of the nation as another electioneering process looms that at all levels of governance- national, state and local. Only men, who are discreet and wise should be elected.”, he said.
Dr Ajala added, ” there can’t be any sitting on the fence as to the person of a man. Only men who are worthy of our seats to sit at the gate of leadership, who can take wise, godly and sound counsel for the nation should be elected.”
” The main gate of any nation is the gate of leadership. This gate is so critical that it affects every other gate that defends a nation. It is trite that everything rises and falls on leadership; and every other gate takes it’s compass from whatever happens at this main gate.
Whatever is happening in the city and to the citizens, is a function of what is permitted by those who sit at the main gate””.
Dr Ajala emphasized ” anything, whether right or wrong that permeates the nation is what the elders at the gate allow. From a biblical parlance, only wise and discreet men; elders should be allowed to sit at the gates of leadership.
He maintained that in the exercise of our franchise, “we must not yield to the uprising and enduring fluke of the enemy. We must arise and repair the gates that are broken down”, saying, “another very critical gate that takes an acute alignment from the main gate of leadership is the gate of Education. Education is light; knowledge is power and every man needs a modicum of light to see through any dark path.”
Speaking further, Dr Ajala said there is the need for restructuring of Nigeria to resolve the hydra headed challenges facing Nigeria as a country presently and enable it to move forward.
” Of a fact, the challenges of Nigeria are hydra-headed we strongly feel that “restructuring” of the Nigerian State is imminent. It will be a safe measure in healing the widening lines of disunity etched on the nation divides. And will make governing less cumbersome and difficult”.
Dr Ajala stressed, ” it will also help to build the ailing economy and restore adequate security in the country. We are a people with fair and just motive for the welfare of the nation. Through thick and thin, we’re assured of constant victory through Christ Jesus, the LORD. We are gatekeepers and we shall be committed to ensuring that we continue to hold the nation in prayers and lift her up to the hands of the Almighty God until He reigns supreme in His splendour and righteousness throughout the land of Nigeria.”
