The Founding Executive Director of African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Dr Otive Igbuzor, says to effectively fight corruption, the anti-corruption measures must address systems and sanctions.
Igbuzor stated this at the 23rd Bi-Annual Leadership Lecture and Graduation Ceremony of the the Set 23 of the Centre LSD Leadership School on Saturday in Abuja.
The ceremony with the theme, “Leadership and Anti-Corruption Measures” was organised by Centre LSD in Partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that not fewer than 72 students of the Set 23, among them is the former Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, Evelyn Onyilo graduated and awarded certificates.
He explained that the birth of the Centre came into reality based on the conviction that everything rises and falls on leadership, adding that many are in positions of power without leadership skills,
“The theme of the event is both timely and compelling, because, corruption has long been recognised as one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s progress.
“It weakens institutions, erodes public trust, distorts development priorities, and deepens poverty.
“History and experience shows that anti-corruption is not merely a technical matter of laws and regulations; it is a matter of leadership and values.
“Effective leaders set the tone from the top, model integrity, build systems of accountability, and mobilise citizens to resist corruption. Where leaders demonstrate integrity, institutions flourish; where they fail, institutions crumble.
“Anti-corruption measures must be comprehensive; encompassing prevention, detection, enforcement, and, most importantly, a culture of integrity.
“Anti-corruption measures must address systems, sanctions and society. This requires political will, civic engagement, and courageous leadership at all levels,” Igbuzor stressed.
He reminded the graduates that leadership is not about personal gain, but service; not about rhetoric, but action.
“Let your leadership journey be anchored on character, competence, courage, and compassion. Be ambassadors of integrity.
“Resist the temptation to conform to corruption. Instead, challenge the status quo, be a force for justice, and contribute actively to the transformation of Nigeria and Africa,” he said.
He also congratulated the newly matriculated Set 25 of the LSD and appreciated stakeholders including Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), for the enduring support to the Centre LSD since 2010.
In his address of welcome the Executive Director of the Centre, Mr Monday Osasah commended graduates for their commitment, dedication and making it to the last stage of graduation.
He explained that the Centre effectively impacted on Set 23 and other previous sets of the Centre while calling on them to also impact the society and country with positive leadership capacity.
In their addresses, the Chairperson and Co-Chairperson of the event, Mr Soji Apampa and Ms Ojobo Atuluku respectively congratulated the graduants and tasked them to be worthy ambassadors of the Centre.
In his lecture, the Executive Director of Lux Terra Foundation, Rev. Fr. George Ehusani harped on the fundamentals of effective leadership and supported his assertions with quotations from the Holy Bible.
According to him, countries are built on values, and vision and not the amount of resources found in the countries.
Meanwhile, Onyilo on behalf of the graduates disclosed that, coming to the Centre has open her eyes and those of her colleagues to the true and practical meaning and art of leadership.
She called on women to desist from the habit of buying ‘Aswoebi’, instead they should invest their resources on acquiring knowledge and landed properties.
NAN reports that high points of the event were the awards of different categories to the deserving graduates and presentation of certificates and panel discussion on how to fight corruption from the home front and work place
NEWS AGENCY OFNIGERIA