They stated this at the public presentation of two books on the former EFCC boss, Ribadu: My Story; My Vision and A Paradise for Maggots: The story of a Nigerian Anti-Graft Czar.”
Ribadu: My Story; My Vision is an autobiography of the former EFCC boss, while A Paradise for Maggots: The Story of a Nigerian Anti-Graft Czar was written by a United States based lecturer, Dr. Wale Adebanwi.
The former EFCC boss, in his remark on the occasion, said that right leadership was needed in Nigeria’s quest for development.
Ribadu stated, “Experience the world over indicates that nations that do well and progress have had to invest heavily in the leadership skills of its people and in the building of character and ethical standards.”
According to him, leaders’ approaches to ethical standards distinguish a prosperous nation from a deprived one.
He added, “A leadership culture that promotes high ethical standard and has the courage to make socially improving, even if difficult, decisions is all that the country needs today and this will come by conscious talent spotting and the provision of the political will to make that leadership succeed.”
He said in the book, Ribadu: My Story; My Vision , he explained what the “ethical foundations” that had guided “his entry and stay in the public service arena.”
Oputa, who was the chairman of the occasion, said discipline, especially supported with education was needed to achieve integrity.
He urged Nigerians to fight what he called “the monster of state of origin.” The former Supreme Court justice said Nigerians should emphasise their unity and deemphasize “tribe and tongues.”
According to him, “If Nigeria is one; our allegiance should be to Nigeria, not to states of origin. We cannot afford to continue to look at one another as strangers. We have to do a big battle against the monster called the state of origin.”
He described Ribadu as an upright Nigerian, who had left indelible footprints in the country through his public service.
A former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was represented by a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, described Ribadu as a courageous, dedicated and committed person.
He said that for Nigeria to move forward, people like Ribadu should be celebrated for his war against corruption and other achievements.
The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, described the author as a courageous and hard working person.
He urged Nigerians to emulate the former EFCC boss. “Nigerians must stand for something. If you do not stand for something, you fall for everything,” he said.
The chief guest of honour and Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Muritala Nyako, said Ribadu had earned for himself global recognition through his struggles to make the world a better place.
Nyako said Adamawa State was proud of Ribadu, who hailed from the state.
In reviewing Ribadu: My Story; My Vision, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Prof. Abdulkadir Abadulrasheed, said the author was passionate about finding solutions to problems confronting Nigeria.
Source:http://www.punchng.com/
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