Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the entrenchment of a culture of integrity across both the corporate and civil spaces to address problems associated with governance, democracy, and development in the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Media Adviser to the former President, Ikechukwu Eze.
Jonathan made the call in Lagos at the 40th-anniversary dinner of the Institute of Directors (IoD Nigeria).
The former president also called for closer cooperation among African leaders, especially former and serving presidents.
He said that Africa needed such synergy, to ensure peace and progress on the continent.
The former president said that there was a trust gap between leaders and the people of the continent, saying the challenge could only be addressed by honest and dependable leaders.
“A culture of integrity is what is needed to address many of the challenges confronting governance in our country.
“When integrity is entrenched as a culture and a corporate lifestyle in many organisations, the problems associated with corruption, dishonesty, poor governance, and even election management will be significantly addressed.
Jonathan said that cordial relations exist among Nigeria’s former leaders, describing the development as commendable and healthy for the nation.
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In this regard, he commended IoD for the cooperation among its leaders, saying “I have also noticed a similar trend within your institute, where former presidents cooperate and advise the current president and Chairman of Council.
“This, regrettably, is not the case in some African countries where political transitions and relations between serving and former leaders are quite challenging and unhealthy because of unnecessary rivalry.
He said that in some of those countries former presidents and sitting presidents are like enemies who hardly talk to one another.
“In Africa, We need to develop a sustainable political culture that treats elections as a contestation of ideas, where whoever wins will be disposed to run the country with other broadminded patriots for the benefit of the citizens.”
Jonathan further charged members to continue to strive to project IoD as the go-to organisation for integrity and exemplary leadership.
“A place like IoD, given the reputation you have built for yourselves, could serve as a think tank or policy institute where corporate and political leaders could visit to test their ideas for responsible leadership and good governance.
“It can also serve as the place where leaders could go to headhunt for tested and trusted technocrats to occupy strategic national positions; those that would justly deploy their skill and experience in exemplary service to the nation.
“This is my hope for IoD Nigeria as you celebrate this milestone. “
