Save democracy by delivering on good governance — Adeleke

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reiterated the importance of saving democracy by delivering on good governance.

This is as Governor Adeleke also bemoaned the increasing erosion of democratic culture due to the non-commitment of many leaders to good governance.

The Osun governor made this known while delivering a lecture as the convocation guest speaker at Valley View University, Ghana, on Sunday.

This was made known through a statement made available by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and obtained by Newspot on Sunday.

Adeleke, who delivered the lecture titled; “Imparting Excellence, Integrity and Service: Nurturing Ethical Leaders in Changing World for which the Governor called on leaders to sustain good governance to safe democracy in Africa”, was also conferred with a honorary doctorate degree.

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Acknowledging the honour, Adeleke stated that it was a testimony to his administration’s unbending desire to take Osun to new heights.

In his words, “Our administration was only doing what we are elected to do – selfless pro-people service. Little did we know we are being monitored even outside Nigeria. I did not know our modest effort had so much impact beyond our imagination. This is a challenge to do more.”

While observing that leaders faced the challenge of balancing questions of excellence and integrity in public service, Adeleke stressed that leaders must play according to the rules and avoid unethical activities.

“Doing the right thing as a leader in policy delivery is the expected output of every public leader. Ensuring best service delivery with the right moral compass is the best expectation in public life. Achieving both excellence and integrity is the calling of ethical leaders.

“Ethical leaders are expected to be rule-driven, honest, consistent, goal-driven, and oriented towards the aspirations of the people. He or she should avoid corruption and ensure public resources serve the public interest. In his mind, nothing should interfere with community’s joint vision. The well-being of the people is the driving force of all ethical leaders.

“As a sitting Governor and a former Senator in the Nigerian Senate, it is my considered opinion that embracing an ethical leadership model will speed up the achievement of public service excellence and good governance in Africa. The complicated social, economic, and political challenges facing Africa can only be tackled by leaders who are married to the rule of law and due process alongside practical fear of God. A leader holding power of life and death over the citizens must be accountable, responsive, and citizen-centred.

“Democracy remains the best vehicle to deliver good governance. Democracy is however sustainable only when leaders govern by the rule of the game. Increasingly, democracy is under serious threat by the low level of ethical leaders and the prevalence of despots pretending to be democrats. Military rule is creeping in across Africa, and the continent is at a loss as to how to stem the negative trend.

“To achieve excellence in public leadership, Africa is in dire need of ethical leadership. We need leaders who will avoid corruption, a despotic mindset, and support deep adherence to the rule of law. We must ensure survival of democracy by sticking to the rule and eschew disobedience of the electoral will of the citizens. Leaders must see their offices as a call to duty to serve and not to be served; to consult and not to dictate, and to observe and not violate the rule of law.

“In my state back in Nigeria, I have four rules of engagement as a Governor namely adherence to the rule of law, zero tolerance for corruption, commitment to good governance and fear of God in public leadership.”

Earlier, the University Vice Chancellor, Professor William Koomsion said the honorary degree was conferred on Governor Adeleke for his delivery on good governance and for being a model in Africa’s search for good governance.

Prof Koomsion also said the university reviewed the governor’s antecedent as a businessman and former senator alongside his ethical leadership since assuming the governorship of Osun State, Nigeria to arrive at its decision.