Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says widespread poverty and deprivation are key drivers of ethnic and regional divisions in the country.
Hayatu-Deen spoke in Abuja on Monday during the public presentation of two books, ‘Beneath the Surface’ and ‘Leading in a Storm’, authored by Dakuku Peterside, a former member of the house of representatives and ex-director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Hayatu-Deen said only inclusive leadership can heal Nigeria’s growing social fractures.
“A leader must be the chief moral agent of his society. He is our alter ego, the one we house, protect, and entrust with our collective destiny,” he said.
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“To whom much is given, much is expected. A leader must conduct himself with decency, honour, and integrity, and through the power of personal example, become a beacon of hope for the nation.
“Whenever a society is in doubt or in confusion about its political journey, it is the leader’s task to rise to the occasion and serve as a pathfinder to replace despondency with hope and lethargy with action.
“The president, governor, or local government chairman must lead by setting the tone through words and deeds.
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“Leaders must rebuild trust by offering credible and sustainable programmes that revitalise and transform society.
“Once leaders respect and fulfil the social contract with the people, citizens will rally around the flag.
“Poverty and deprivation are what often drive people into ethnic and regional enclaves.”
Hayatu-Deen said the books are thought-provoking works that reflect Nigeria’s current realities.
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“These books are more than literary works. They are a mirror and a compass, a mirror that reflects our present with honesty, and a compass that points us toward a better future,” he said.
