2023 Polls: Former C-River Speaker, Lebo Challenges Citizens, Media On Robust Leadership

• As CROSSJOF honours Justice Onnoghen, Gen Moses Obi, Comrade Ogbeche, other deserving individuals

BY COBHAM NSA – Immediate Past Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly (CRSHA), Barrister John Gaul Lebo has challenged citizens of the state and the media on holding leaders accountable and responsive in meeting the yearnings of their people.

He said the current situation of things in Cross River makes it imperative for stakeholders in the democratic space to remain unrelenting in ensuring political leaders are honest and answerable to the people in strengthening democracy and ensuring progressive development in the State.

Lebo, who threw the challenge at the 2021 Annual Dinner and Award Night organised by the Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF), Abuja, said leadership means nothing if it did not meet the yearnings and aspirations of the led.

However, the former lawmaker said as agenda setters, the media should be ready to partner with citizens in making democracy participatory, and consensus-oriented for the overall good of all based on respect for the rule of law.

Speaking on the theme: “Cross River State: A People and A Future”, Barrister Lebo said Cross River has made significant progress since the return of civil rule in 1999, but because democracy is a journey and not a destination, there is an urgent need to address obvious political and economic imbalances plaguing the South-South state.

Also admitting that the State has recorded its fair share of leadership challenges, Lebo said going forward, the people must focus on good governance and equitable political structure, adding; “For 2023 in Cross River, we need a vibrant people and media sector that can hold politicians, political leaders, and managers of resources responsible and accountable in ways that will improve the quality of life in the State.”

The former lawmaker also said a leader can easily veer off his original concept due to political pressure and other sundry issues, even as he maintained that the state urgently needs to focus on economic democracy rather than political democracy that has left it wallowing in the backwaters of underdevelopment for years now.

Specifically, the Abi-born politician said in pursuit of a non-oil sector economy, there must be capital infrastructure that promotes tourism and other areas where the State can be competitive in the country.

On the 2023 general elections, Lebo Hon advocated that Cross Riverians must demand that for the first time since the current democratic dispensation flagged off in 1999, candidates seeking to occupy the number one seat must showcase their blueprints for developing the State in a governorship debate.

Also speaking at the event, an awardee and immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Mr Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen said people should be properly guided by history while always being proud of what their past leaders have achieved in various fields of endeavours.

He said importantly, it should be considered a privilege for people to serve in any capacity while doing their best for Cross River State and Nigeria in general, adding that mentorship and being role models should be the watchword for all good-willed leaders going forward.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of CROSSJOF, Gabriel Odu congratulated the award recipients, saying they were all deserving of the honours as notable achievers in their respective fields.

Addressing issues around political leadership in Cross River and Nigeria in general, Comrade Odu said; “We must aggregate resources, skills and competencies to make our leaders, especially those in politics, accountable”, adding; “These people are not accountable because sadly the journalists on their part have gone to sleep.”

On CROSSJOF, Odu described the Forum as a non-governmental and non-political professional body with the objectives of catering for the welfare of members, supporting their professional growth through enhancement of their skills and competencies and serving as a watchdog on issues concerning Cross River State at national and sub-national levels

The highlight of this year’s programme was the presentation of awards to eight deserving sons of the State. Leading the list of recipients was former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen honoured with the Professional Excellence Award in Law and Justice; Major-General Moses Obi (rtd) – Professional Excellence in Peace and Conflict Resolution Award; Senator Professor Sandy Onor – Award of Excellence in Public Service Award; and Hon Alex Egbona, member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives – Distinguished Award of Excellence in Public Service Award.

Others include Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council – Professional Excellence Award in Journalism and Advocacy; Mr Ebeten Ivara, Director General of National Gallery of Art (NGA) – Distinguished Service Award; Hon Gabriel Bravo Oluohu, Supervisory Councillor for Finance, Budget and Investment, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) – Award of Excellence in Humanitarian Service; and Late Chief Ben Otu – Distinguished Posthumous Award in Philanthropy.