By CHINELO OBOGO
Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole has identified that Nigeria’s major problem is leadership.
Speaking at the start of the 2012/2013 session of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Bankole stated that lack of adequate preparation for leadership, especially in public life was a critical missing link in the nation’s search for solutions.
According to him, “In Nigeria, as in most parts of Africa, many leaders, especially at the political level, are preoccupied with succeeding themselves that often, they leave a leadership vacuum or confusion behind them. Mohammed Siad Barre, the former strongman of Somalia was reported to have boasted on the eve of his eviction from office that after him, there would be chaos.
Sadly, it appears that this unwholesome scenario is not limited to the political leadership; it is also a critical issue in the public service as well as the corporate and civil society organizations. The failure of leaders to be purpose-driven, rather than self-absorbed and to design credible agenda for leadership renewal in the form of mentoring has given rise to the pervasive and recurrent multiple malaise now plaguing our country.
“Even in Nigeria, the ill- fated attempt to alter the constitution to allow for a third term in office for the President was seen as a local manifestation of an African malady. It has been argued in some quarters that the instability of the post 2007 dispensation and a lot of the threatening challenges of the present times are probably consequences of the lack of sincere mentoring and our leaders’ preference not to pay sufficient attention to successive planning. Some have even posited that the emergence of the late Yar’Adua was a half-hearted, some say cynical, option that was hurriedly activated following the failure of a second term bid.”
Continuing, he said that the country must urgently start the process of disallowing untutored and untested persons from mounting the saddle of leadership, as this would only set the country backwards.
His words: “I need to comment on the modalities for choosing leaders, especially, those that occupy second-in-command positions. Everyone will agree with me that the lack of planned succession is what results in accidental leadership in our national life.
I wish to propose that we give further thought to ensuring that the choice of deputies is underlined by the requirements of competence and a modicum of collective enlightened self-interest, so that we can avoid future recurrence of situations where unprepared deputies suddenly find themselves in positions of power. A situation whereby aspirants appear to prefer unsuitable or compromised persons as deputies does not augur well for the growth of our democracy.
We must also seek to rebuild a system that enables us make creative use of people who have occupied leading positions in our national life to gain useful experience. Leadership, was about hard choices and how you live with them.
Incumbents should not view their predecessors as threats, while the predecessors should also cultivate the maturity needed to help their successors to succeed.”
He also harped on the need to develop Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which he said is the core mandate of the university. “Studies have shown that our farming population across the country is ageing fast if not disappearing altogether, yet we have a situation where many state governments across the country have been importing farmers to boost agriculture.
I am of the opinion that the greater challenge is for us to ensure that our young people, especially, graduates of institutions use the expatriate farmers initiatives as learning opportunities as to rekindle youth interest in agriculture” he stated.
SIGN THE BRASS LNG FID.
So bankole can open his dirty trap lecturing us on leadership problems of nigeria,he wants 2 stay relevant since he knows he has gone into oblivion,we don’t need ur contribution(s),rogue.
Chai Nigeria , I think this idiot is in jail ?
shut up
Bankole is right to some extend, most of our leaders they are just selfish , lack of love for themselves, no integrity, they are not worthy of the position they occupy .They stole money in their country instead of investing the money in the country to create job for the youth, they take the money to develop country to keep, just as it was written in the bible they take from poor and give to the rich, Bankole is able to talk publicly today because of the same system he is now criticizing. We heard of how much he allegedly mismanage when he was the speaker, but until now, he has not being convicted or discharge of the allege offence. In civilize this will never happen because the all obey the law and the is above every body, every Leaders in those countries are elected not imposed or selected they their responsibilities and accountability, before they get they position they have being tested and they know they up to the task. They fear the law because it does not respect any body. In Africa the law respect the rich not the poor, it respect the powerful not the powerless . When we do away with religion and focus on spiritual development things will change, this is what I have to say for now God bless Nigeria.
are u saying u are not aware bankole was a thief and a speaker of the house-he was also a leader–or how else does he want to define leadership-for only those in aso rock or what-he should go hide his head in shame
imagine kettle calling pot black. you are a problem to this country
WHEN YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY WHAT DID YOU DO?
Even you brutus!
Dimeji, what gives you the right to indict other leaders? You bloody thief. Clear yourself with EFCC first.
i so agree with you
na wa o. what legacy did bankole leave for us as speaker. what effort did he make to practically demonstrate what leadership should be. does he have moral right to comment on leadership? may be he wants to come back to demonstrate his experience. we are in trouble.
This is a shame. that ANY newspaper would deign to print what this ‘African Malaise’ says is testament to the utter shortsightedness all our media suffer
See bank ole oooo! oh Nigeria! i cry for this nation! A nation where criminals are invited to give talks at public gatherings. what does bankole hav to giv to these futures leaders he was asked to address? A man cannot give what he has not. so he will definitly teach them how to cheat. i cant attend such a gathering.
I don’t blame him. If things were done the right way in this country which Dimeji himself helped to bastardize, he would have been in prison by now. But as long as people like him are allowed out there to open their rotten mouth wide, this country will continue to smell. Idiot.
I wounder o
When you were there, you stole money. lots of money. So don,t give us lectures on leadership. its insulting!
Bankole shud talk about sometin else not failure in leadership cos he failed himself
If not in nigeria were else will an INDICTED dimeji bankole be walking the street free and interpreting leadership.
So they are still according this thief relevance?
See who is talking about Leadership. Look at Dimeji, Well i do not blame you, i blame the sun newspaper for posting this kind of stuff.
But this naughty man was suppose to be in prison by now except for the failed leadership which he now turn to castigate.
Hei! And you Dimeji. Are you lunching a come back? Well, when voters’ votes begin to count in Nigeria, people like you will only win ward elections. Leadership at village level is easier.
I fully agree with you, Mr Lawal! It is very unfortunate that the word, ‘shame’, has disappeared completely in every Nigerian language. Imagine somebody like Dimeji Bankole who was catapulted to a very lofty position, in spite of his young age, and what he did was to grossly abuse such office and stole billions and billions of Naira he has not accounted for till this day! What problem of leadership is he talking about, when he could not account properly for his own stint at leadership? That is the highest point of hypocrisy! Hypocrisy at its best! His talk on leadership should have centered on the mindset of Nigerians who always glorify high-profile thieves like him and make them instant celebrities as he has now been made! How could Bankole of all people come up to speak on leadership? Must Bankole be the person to be invited for this kind of talk?
The university has failed in its mandate to uphold integrity and good conscience. So I move that the Federal Government of Nigeria should dismiss the vice chancellor and other principal officers for inviting a known thief to come and address young people and students on the problems of Nigeria. Bankole indicted Obasanjo and other leaders but held himself out as a saint! What an insult to the collective psyche of Nigerians!
And to the students, I express deep regret that you allowed such a crook to address you! It seems cultism has killed the minds of Nigerian students, thus making them to become so docile and apathetic to the bunglings, thieveries and stupidity of Nigerian leaders. Students of old would not have tolerated all the mess we now find in Nigeria.
it is unfortunate that of all men in naija, this is the person that a university will invite. very unfortunate!
Bankole is suffering from kwashokor that is why he surmond that useless courage to talk rubbish. Infact, am disapointed with sunnewspapers for posting this kind of rubblish.
If Bankole had integrity and self-respect, he would have avoided/rejected to deliver a speech on Leadership. What moral grounds has he to condemn leadership whether in Nigeria or in the world? I was excited when Bankole was elected the Speaker, because of his educational background and international exposure, particularly in the US. I thought we had gotten a Speaker who would be transparent, patriotic and objective in his handling of the affairs of the House and the Nation. But I was(and still is) betrayed! He ended up being the opposite and in shame. He ended up being a fraudstar – manipulating and overbloating contracts and prices. What credentials do you, Dishonourable Bankole to speak on Leadership?
This is more than hypocrisy. Who’s fooling who? Look at Dimeji Lawal. Anyway, na only for Naija bo…
Congrate Mr Bankole or whatever you called yourself, is not ur fault. If it were in a Country where democracy are been practising people like you will been seen no more. I am not surprise that even what EFCC and other organisation are doing are just to fool us, if not why would somebody who should be serving jail term now,will come up to adress the public?. We are making jokes of this Country called Nigeria and the after effect will be disastrous. My promise to you Bankole is that as long as we live in this Country your political carer is gone and gone for good. Unless on an appointee, anything that has to do with voting in this Country you are completely out of it. I thank God that my fellow citizen’s are awake, we will continue to expose you people until God’s own people will take place in Nigeria. Look at you condeming OBJ and indirectly saying that GEJ is not qualified, atleast his name will never be like urs in the histry of Nigeria. Shame to u and where u come from idoit. At ur age u mess urself up like this because of money and power. U will live to regret this. Better go and confess to God and ask for forgiveness otherwise ur are bringing enternal problem to ur family.
This man is brilliant. One day Nigerians will get to understand why most younger generation politians are always blackmailed with unproven fraud allegations. They old fools are stil controlling the structure and it will be difficult to do any good for the Nation without been blackmail.
All those calling this man a thief should wait til he is convitaed. When you are accused does not mean you are a thief. For me I respect this my age mate who handled the house for the period he did. I think their is something about him than meet the allegation and what he is saying here makes a lot of SENce to a true Nigerian looking for a way out. At list. Time has proven it that most of the cases against some politians are based on master against servant.
Bankole is a victim of superior opposition forces, yes he may not be a saint but mind u the real looters are still there in the public offices, it is obvious that when they (the superior looters) doubt the loyalty of any of their subject they will expose and disgrace such fellow
What an irony. Why would anybody listen to Bank – Ole for advice on leadership? This is someone who squandered the opportunity he had to write his name in the gold and yet has the gut to open his dirty mouth to talk about leadership.
The first blame goes to the University that gave him a forum to propagate criminality. The second blame goes to the Sun newspapers whose stock in trade is to promote criminals because their owner, Orji Uzo Kalu is a big time criminal.
I dare you to publish my opinion if you are not Orji Uzo Kalu’s wrapper.
Look at this useless guy talking about leadership. Please go and answer EFCC before anything. I could not blame you, EFCC is for opponet. God will punish every one of you that suffering poor nigeria.
Its rathr aggreviating to hear elements of disappointment,looting,and frivolous abusers of office like Bankole, critisizing a ‘bad govt’.
I dey laugh oooo!!!! The University knows about all the frauds he has committed, and the blunder he made while ta the helm of affairs. The University authority just want to make a caricature of him, to laugh at him, and to make him a laughing stock to the Students. Imagine, someone like Bankole, someone that is supposed to be rotten in jail by now still have the gut to talk in public, and not on any other matter but leadership.
I like this article. Well done, Honourable Bankole!
Shame!!!!!!!!!
A thief like Bankole susposed to be in the prison now.
It’s only in Nigeria that thievies like him are glorified.
what can he say about good leadership. PDP as a party is also a disgrace.
Bankole when you had the opportunity to lead what did you do. Thief. You dey craze. So if leaders are mentioned do you think your name will be there. Rogue
This big fool is one of the reasons why progress will continue to elude Nigeria. The B’ole should be doing time in Kirikiri if this was to be a country that goes by the rule of law. Upon all the financial crimes he commited as the SPEAKER, he is still walking free doling “advice” or making a case for good goverance. Shame on him, shame on Nigeria.
Mr Dimeji,it’s good to sit and ask yourself if you have been fair to Nigerians .if the answer is no,then you need to bury your head in shame.individually,we have killed that country called nigeria simply because of luxury.we all forget that we will die someday
Don’t u people understand Dirmeji. He is judging himself too but logical. He admits he is part of Nigeria Problem. May God help Naija
Leadership? is that Bankole talking? I thought he was in jail. wao! only in Nigeria.
Theif.
Omotee,
OGBO, i laugh now excuse me isay i lagh how could u report a thiefs comment to us especially at the person of Banky. Anyway i trust the young university guys who are more witty to take his lectures with a pinch of salt.Ogbo, dont report this kin person comment/lectre to us again oooooo.
Idiot, thief, nemesis will catch up with you, every day for the thieves calling themselves leaders, one day for the poor masses you have stolen from. Shameless individual.
Savage!! Savage!!
Dimeji,u weren’t good at leading,you were good at looting.why talk about leadership.l don’t blame u,we no longer have Economic & Financial Crime Commission.what we have now is Empowering Fraud & Corruption Commission.
Wht is he saying he should b ashamed of himself.bankole pls stop fooling ur people.
EFCC for fun, Court for endless judgment …”free by Court order” is still on sale for our next governors .
Mr Demeji i agreed with you but you all are the same. I was in your state (Ogun State) for 10yrs and i was there during the last general elections. I was also there when you came to commission OTA HEAD BRIDGE, i saw how you insulted yourself, OGD and then minister of works, Sen Dagash. You’ve once been in position of a leader, what did you do for the people you represented? You see, nothing. All politicians are the same. Anyway, you can use your sweet and well-articulated gospel to browbeat the Rock people. NT: I never vote for PDP aspirants throughout my stay there, so don’t think i’m one the supporters of DANIEL-THE BOND MAN
THE V.C. WHO INVITED BANKOLE MUST BE REMOVED FOR POLLUTING THE YOUTH , AND BE INVESTIGATED , HE IS LIKELY TO BE CORRUPT .
….and he is supposed to be a part of the future of this country. What a bad seed.
Good citizen, I assumed Bankole is your family, or you benefited from him when he was a speaker. Do you remember Patricia Etteh, Okadigbo, Ewerem, and many other of our public office holder; are they victim of superior opposition forces too? If you don’t know what to write about in this forum, better find something doing because you are insulting this forum likewise your mentor or your brother bankole is insulting Nigerian. When he was chosen as speaker of house, I was so happy that younger generation would take over from old folks; and anticipating that someone like him will be a president of Nigeria one day. Actually, he has made his money from loots, and should enjoy his money if he is untouchable because I don’t see reason why all these looters are still working in the street of Nigeria. He is talking about leadership to the dumbed students. If those students knew the meaning of insult passing to them, they supposed to stone him. What leadership is all about? Manage, direct, control, accountability, transparency, humility and discipline. Bankole do you possess any of those qualities? My answer is no; despite the level of your education, you are disgrace to the younger generation.
Why Sun Newspaper is continuing deleting my write up? You guys know the truth is bitter.
Onye oshi! Anything goes in NIgeria.
Sago nbugo. You are part of Nigeria problem.
I can not believe my eyes reading what this corrupt leader who still has uncleared corruption case on stolen Nigerian funds pending with EFCC, can be opening his mouth to talk about BAD leadership on Nigeria. Shame on you Mr Bankole. In fact I am really annoyed writing this comment.
The article was well written and it is really a complete diagnosis of African Leadership. If only one day the almighty lord will send us a good leader who will follow Dimeji’s prescription, Nigeria will have a good prognosis.
Its α case of kettle calling pot black. Bankole why did you agree to speak on something you know nothing about, how can you give what you do Ωoƭ have? See how you are been messed up in pages here. You should have declined speaking. Such α shame. I pray God’s mercy on you. Αm dissapointed in you, in fact we nigerian youths are grossly dissappointed in you.
thats how he remain. for no good comes thats his partern even verbal.
I am ashamed of this country.
Bankole is a useful man. I blame Nigerian judiciary.However, what happened to Ibori will soon get to him.
Bankole is a useless man. I blame Nigerian judiciary.However, what happened to Ibori will soon get to him.
am so dissappionted that the sun will be posting such article from people who have been indicted for one criminal offence or the other, dispite the fact that he was clear of allegation of corruption, he still remains as one of the younger man who as the oppurtunity to show what leadership was all about as the number four citizen of this country but he couldnt and here his he today talking about the problem of Nigeria been leadership, i dont think Nigeria lack leaders what i think Nigeria is lacking is sincerity from our leaders and doing the right thing. Mr. Bankole you had all the oppurtunity to prove to Nigeria what leadership is about while you were the number four citizen but you didnt, so are you taking about leadership, you should rather be talking about fighting corruption in government and how to punish those found guilty of it.
Bloody Barawo, what qualify you to address the public. You are young, highly educated abroad and still you let down the youths who are looking to you as future leader of the country. Look at what money has turned you to. You should be languishing in prison if we have competent and trustworthy justice system. Once you are bailed from detention, we know you would bail yourself from the corruption. The letter sent to the address you used to purchase office stationeries worth 100million naira was returned as not existing. That should have earned you 20 years with hard labour.
Bankole oju ole re…OLE
I wish my wife will allow me go for a drink. If this man is in jail where he belongs, I will not be filling this way. Bankole I wish I can spit on your grave.
Bankole, thats true. Especially when coming from a bad and corrupt leader like you
You won’t shup up that your probosis. See your big mouth that is talking that rubbish
Bankole.By the way…you are one of the misfit that got into leadership post. Nigeria need to make VP and Dp Gov elective position and not by selection.
A DANIEL HAS COME TO JUDGE
This is a thief who should have been languishing in jail now, yet he has the opporunity to open up a healled wound. This is an ex speaker of the House who stole and borrowed millions of naria to increase the allowances of the members. This is a man who was arrested and standing trial for his attrocities. This is the former No. 3 man in government who lost his second term bide and ended up in dentention.
If nigeria ia s country and not banana Republic, should Bankole come out openly and address the public.
Shameless man is giving lectues on leadership. What will the Youth of this country grap from this man, than how to steal. Crook.
The Sun Newspaper should please wake up and stop giving attention to our treasury looters like Bankole and Co.
bankky, you are a criminal. period
I like wat evrybod say bankole. U na thief. Shud b n jail nw roten there.forget u nd gv u had labour.dt university na foolish pep they all ar
Sadly Mr. Dimeji Bankole is very correct and on point. Yes , he did missed his opportunity. His stewardship as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the number 4 person in Nigeria, and the allegation of corruption and mismanagement leveled against his leadership of the House is a sorry testament to the truism of his assertions here. Mr. Bankole became the Speaker of the House of Representatives totally unprepared, and without mentoring. However, I do hope he will come out clean atone for his misdeed and start up a process of mentoring leaders that is so far missing in our body polity
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Does it mean that Dimeji Bankole didn’t realize these facts about our leadership problem when he was in the best position to stretch out his neck to truly fight for the poor?
I advise mr bankole to travel to London, if he return successfully then we might have a rethink about his advise, i knw he might be treated as ibori so he cant go to Uk
U bankole gat the audacity and effrontery to talk on leadership, Its not ur fault if u have been prosecuted by the toothless bull dog (EFCC). u ass hole will not be here talking bull crap on leadership…Come to think of it this guy must be a rascal…BANKOLE talking abt leadership.. Infact i feel like driving a 6 inches nail into that his skull.. U bastard will not live to enjoy all the nations treasury u amass into ur private purse.. Rascal.. U better go bury ur head in the sea and stay clear of public talk.. Idiot, mumu,barawo,onyioshi, danskika, were BANKOLE
BANKOLE, YOU DO NOT HAVE MORAL JUSTIFICATION TO SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING LEADERSHIP. BECAUSE YOU ARE A PUBLIC THIEF. SO SAVE YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUR CO-CORRUPT-MATES.
Shame to The Sun newspapers.
You gays have no job.
Why can’t you gays investigate and un-earth real reason behind our continue match in the wrong direction, instead of writing rubbish
You are 100% true cos as a one time leader in the legislative arm of government,you were a problem to this country due to your greed,selfishness and corruption!
MR former speaker,You had your chance to prove that you can make a significant change in this country but what did we see?corruption,bad leadership,no care for the common man on the street,not even a single bill that addresses the poverty of our ppl.We expected a lot from you but you disapionted us cos of your greed for money.You, a young articulated leader that all young nigerian citizens looked up to.You messed up a great opportunity to lead this great nation.Cheers
Yeah, right. what people shamelessly do to be relevant. Trying too hard to re-invent the wheels. Why wasn’t he this philosophical when he was at the helm? Damaging Bank-ole!
Nigeria’s major problem is leadership –Bankole.
Bankole’s major problem is his light fingers.
The truth of the matter is that PDP Men and women since 1999 have caused the poverty killing our people now, it started with Obasanjo, Atiku, Babangida, Tony Anenih, Ogbemudia, Tukur, Okadigbo, Ekweme, all the PDP Minsters till date, all other former Senate Presidents including David Mark, all former Speakers of the House of Reps including Bankole and the present Tambuwal, all PDP state Governors from 1999 till present time, DGs of Departments and Agencies of federal government, have made Nigeria a failed State by engaging in corruptions that have no semblance in other climes.
Bankole is no exemption but i bet you all, Nigeria can never make any meaningful progress under the leadership of PDP because the Party since 1999 has continued with corruption unabated till date.
We all should rise like it happened in Arab spring and chase those Criminals away from Government houses starting from Aso rock, we should put behind us ethnicity, tribalism and religion the PDP cabals are using to divide the Nigerian population and chase them out power with all it takes us.
GEJ is not different from OBJ,so Niger Delta should not get too excited because the story will still be the same when he leaves Aso rock.
The Ndigbo should not support anybody seeking election as President on the platform of PDP because all of them have sharing the loots since 1999, so he can not wish his co-looters away when it his turn as President.
Let us rise up and chase those PDP CRIMINALS away!!!
ALL NIGERIANS LEADER -SHIP IS ROKE AND TIFF ALL ARE BUN CRIMINALS FOKKER
What did you do when given the chance? We all know if you give a mad man a hoe, you know he will cultivate the land to his side of course, hehe, now imagine giving a madman a mic to sing….lolz…Mad man Banky!
See who is talking. A bad,corrupt,indicted ex-speaker is giving lectures on leadership, he is even the worst speaker nigeria ever had, who even granted the useless boy interview, I think he must have bought his way, rubbish!
Youngman you should be in prison in a civilized world.Save your face from shame.
BANKOLE YOU ARE A COMMON THIEF AND SHOULD BE LYNCHED OLE ODE OSHI !
Thank u university authority for disgracing Bank Ole again, after he was let go by EFCC .In fact i have forgotten him, thinking he is in jail,may God save Nigeria.
mr bankole u try by deliever a message to nigeria ppls u are a leader that cant be trusted in this country criminal bankole.pls stop coming in a public place.