An elder statesman and Professor of Virology, Oyewale Tomori, has urged politicians in Nigeria to rid themselves of corrupt practices and lead by example.
He stated that rather than bow to pressure and steal from government coffers, politicians who are under pressure of whatever kind should rather resign from such position.
Tomori made the submission while speaking as a guest on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande.
According to the elder statesman, Nigeria lacks good leadership at the moment and it is difficult for the upcoming generation to find worthy role models in the current crop of leaders in the country.
Professor Tomori stressed the need for both leaders and followers to work together to produce a good society.
“In those days, we had people to look up to. Who wants to be like these leaders today? Today, we see them corrupt. I can’t tell my grandchildren to be like them. Leadership is important. When we have good leadership, there will be good followers,” he said.
“I heard of a politician who came out one day and said he was interested in serving his people but when he became a leader, they (his followers) came in and asked him (for money). He said he gave them N10,000 (each). And they told him it was too small.
“I said: Stop deceiving yourself. You wanted to be a thief, to start with. If at the beginning, you want to serve, then there is the opportunity for you. But if people force you, then you resign. You don’t have to succumb to the whims of people if you aren’t willing. That’s where the individual becomes important.”
Tomori also lamented the situation in Nigeria where corrupt leaders avoid punishment and are rather celebrated, describing such as a loss of value.
“When a thief comes back and becomes a chief, then there is a problem. We see thieves being granted pardon,” he lamented.
