curator
Administrator
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, His Grace, Godfrey Onah, wants African leaders to emulate the virtues of the late former South African President, Dr Nelson Mandela, by shunning corruption.
Onah, in a homily on Sunday at Nsukka, Enugu State, spoke of the need for African leaders to shun the desire to rule forever.
He noted that world leaders celebrated Mandela in death because of his patriotism, selfless service to his people and the spirit of forgiveness which he exhibited in his life time.
The cleric also noted that they were not unmindful of the fact that Mandela had distinguished himself as a Freedom Fighter and a democrat later in life.
“The best honour African leaders will give Mandela is for them to shun corruption and the evil desire to aspire to rule their countries for life.
“Mandela ruled South Africa for only four years and honourably stepped aside not minding that he was the one that brought freedom to the country.
“It is because of the love and passion to liberate his people that Mandela spent 27 years in prison during the then apartheid regime,” he said.
According to him, it will be difficult for Africa to get a leader like Mandela who believes that every citizen is entitled to freedom and respect.
“Mandela did not use his position as president to amass wealth but to ensure that South Africa was taken to the next level in development."
The bishop noted that a good leader endeared himself to the people by being patriotic, and by showing the ability to forgive those who wronged them.
He pointed out that self perpetuation usually stemmed from fear, lack of patriotism, power drunkenness and corruption.
“Patriotic leaders do not sit-tight in leadership as their concern is how to better the welfare of their people and not how to rip them off, amass wealth and rule forever.
"Those in leadership positions should not forget that what they will be remembered for after death will be their good work and not the donkey years that they ruled," Onah said.
Onah, in a homily on Sunday at Nsukka, Enugu State, spoke of the need for African leaders to shun the desire to rule forever.
He noted that world leaders celebrated Mandela in death because of his patriotism, selfless service to his people and the spirit of forgiveness which he exhibited in his life time.
The cleric also noted that they were not unmindful of the fact that Mandela had distinguished himself as a Freedom Fighter and a democrat later in life.
“The best honour African leaders will give Mandela is for them to shun corruption and the evil desire to aspire to rule their countries for life.
“Mandela ruled South Africa for only four years and honourably stepped aside not minding that he was the one that brought freedom to the country.
“It is because of the love and passion to liberate his people that Mandela spent 27 years in prison during the then apartheid regime,” he said.
According to him, it will be difficult for Africa to get a leader like Mandela who believes that every citizen is entitled to freedom and respect.
“Mandela did not use his position as president to amass wealth but to ensure that South Africa was taken to the next level in development."
The bishop noted that a good leader endeared himself to the people by being patriotic, and by showing the ability to forgive those who wronged them.
He pointed out that self perpetuation usually stemmed from fear, lack of patriotism, power drunkenness and corruption.
“Patriotic leaders do not sit-tight in leadership as their concern is how to better the welfare of their people and not how to rip them off, amass wealth and rule forever.
"Those in leadership positions should not forget that what they will be remembered for after death will be their good work and not the donkey years that they ruled," Onah said.