FORMER Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Justice Ibrahim Auta has argued that many crises plaguing the nation today are traceable to poor leadership.
Justice Auta noted that the country was faced with many challenges ranging from corruption, kidnapping, ritual killings, lack of infrastructural growth, favouritism, nepotism and religious crisis.
He said: “At the root of these challenges is leadership. What we have been lacking in Nigeria is good and purposeful; nationalistic and patriotic leaders.”
Justice Auta spoke in Abuja at a reception and award night held in his honour by Society Watch Media Ltd (SWML) on Tuesday evening.
The retired jurist faulted the general perception that the judiciary is a corrupt institution.
He said the judiciary and the judges were merely victims of corruption allegations.
The judge aded that because judges were barred from speaking to the media, most of the corruption allegation levelled against them often became sustainable.
Justice Auta said the impression that judges were corrupt was becoming acceptable, because the people believed whatever they read in the media, without first verifying from other sources.
He noted that there was no country and sector free from corruption in the world, but that the difference was in the magnitude.
Justice Auta urged Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him act in the country’s best interest and ensure that his policies benefit the people.
He said there is need for recruitment of more policemen to ensure adequate security in the country.
Justice Auta noted that the country’s insecurity challenges necessitated the need for more personnel for the police that are well-equipped and adequately funded.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SWML Michael Balogun argued that the nation was being plagued with challenges because its leaders were not focused and committed to the welfare of all.
Balogun said: “Our problem is not corruption as we are made to believe, but leadership, because a good and purposeful leader will know that stealing our common resources is a sin against God.”
He hailed Justice Auta for distinguishing himself as a man of integrity, “who performed excellently well during his tenure between 2011 and 2017.”