The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, has stated that Nigeria can improve its leadership recruitment process with less emphasis on money politics.
Speaking while hosting the leadership of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the state chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) at his Ilorin country home, the NILDS boss said that monetary inducements in the nation’s politics have led citizens to forgo the opportunity to assess the capacity of aspiring politicians put forward to lead them during any transition period.
Professor Sulaiman, who expressed concern about the damage money is causing in politics, advised members of the political class to avoid monetary inducements in politicking.
ALSO READ: Don’t be sycophant, Wike fires back at Odili
He also challenged the media to lead the campaign of educating the citizenry to be cautious of repeating past mistakes when choosing leaders they entrust with power.
“Our society is facing serious challenges. As journalists, we have the responsibility to educate the people and share narratives in line with the tenets of the profession.
“Journalists also owe society the duty to report with the fear of God and patriotism.”
While commending the Kwara State government, under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for its various people-oriented programs, he highlighted the urban renewal project, which has transformed the state capital to better serve its people.
He called on the NUJ to educate its members on the ethics of the journalism profession, combining the fear of God with professional standards.
Sulaiman emphasized that journalists should make it a point to critically examine developments in the country in relation to societal goals and progress.
“I want to reiterate that journalists are the eyes and ears of society. Nigeria’s history as a sovereign nation is incomplete without the media as the fourth estate of the realm, alongside the three tiers of government.
“This highlights the importance of the media in society. Any government or individual that seeks to operate without the media is bound to fail.”
The NILDS DG also commended the federal and state governments for the various measures they have implemented to alleviate the suffering of the masses, noting that these efforts demonstrate a commitment to addressing pressing socio-economic challenges and ensuring the well-being of citizens.
He emphasized that these initiatives are crucial in fostering stability and progress, adding that the country is steadily moving in the right direction toward sustainable development and improved quality of life for its people.
The state NUJ Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, who spoke earlier, called for a synergy between NILDS and the union in areas of mutual interest, particularly in training and retraining journalists to align with prevailing trends in the profession.
Ahmed stressed the importance of addressing the rise of fake news in society, highlighting the dangers associated with it.
He congratulated the Director General of NILDS on his reappointment, describing it as a reflection of the trust and confidence placed in him by the National Assembly leadership.