Nigeria At The Crossroads - Turaki

...needs leaders like Gov Dickson now

A Presidential Aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Tanimu Kabiru Turaki (SAN), has stated that Nigeria is at the crossroads with increasing doubts about the unity of the country.

Turaki said that the country was in need of capable leaders like the Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, in sensitive political positions of leadership at the national level.

He stressed that Nigeria was in dire need of forthright and dependable leaders of courage who would be bold enough to say the truth and show the requisite compassion for the people in their moments of need.

A statement by Dickson’s Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, stated that Turaki made the comment while leading members of his campaign team on a condolence visit to the Toru Orua country home of Dickson to condole with him on the death of his mother, Mrs, Goldcoast Dickson on Friday.

He stressed that Dickson had displayed exemplary leadership qualities in governing Bayelsa State, and deserved to occupy high political offices in the land.

He called on leaders across the country to emulate Governor Dickson who he described as among the few genuinely patriotic and nationalistic leaders in Nigeria.

He said, “You are one of the few patriotic and a highly nationalistic leaders we have. I call on leaders to emulate you, in words and actions.

“At this time that the country is so divided, we need leaders like you that have milk of human compassion; leaders who have the courage to say the truth, leaders who do not lie, leaders who sympathize with the people, and leaders who have the fear of God in their lives and you are one person with these qualities.

“If there is one person who has built bridges across the country, between the North and South, you are that person.

“Today, Nigeria is at the crossroad, people are wondering if the Nigerian project will succeeed, today, there is hunger, poverty, despondency in the land, our patience is waning, we need people like you to continue what you are doing.”

Turaki commended Dickson for his performance in education and the execution of health projects of international standard in the state.

He said that the good nature of Dickson was responsible for the revolution in development in Bayelsa.

“We know the state of Bayelsa before you came in, we know things in Bayelsa more than any other state. You carry everybody along because of your good nature.

“Things are working because of your sense of fairness and justice, you are simply a good man. Everything about you is traceable to Mama. She gave you sound and good education, to be able to make positive impact to whoever comes cross you.

“Good people like you should be engaged in higher and more difficult positions, it is men of character, integrity, honour that should continue to do the good work that you are doing.

“I put you on notice that the world is waiting for you, not just Nigeria but the entire humanity.”

In his remarks, the Governor thanked Turaki and his team for the visit in spite of an earlier visit to him in Abuja.

He stressed that his family had taken a decision to establish a cancer centre in honour of the memory of his mother to promote cancer awareness campaigns designed prevent avoidable deaths from cancer.

He commended Turaki was for exemplary performance in governance.