SAFFGLIA books sets leadership agenda for Africa

SAFFGLIA book sets leadership agenda for Africa
By Prisca SamDuru 

AT last, the much expected Inaugural Lecture of the Segun Adeleye Foundation For Good Leadership In Africa (SAFFGLIA) tagged Africa: The Tragedy of Wrong History as well as launch of the book ‘So Long Too Long Nigeria’ by Mr Segun Adeleye, held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos. As expected, the occasion turned out as an opportunity for eminent Nigerians to retrospect on where past leaders have gone wrong, a situation that has brought untold hardship and insecurity upon the people. Honourable Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was guest Lecturer said the theme of the lecture was of utmost importance to most Africans, especially the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Minister who was represented by the Head of Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Bankole noted that in considering the idea behind the event, the organisers  have provided a platform for a robust discussion on the subject of African leadership through their mission and vision.


He said with the theme of the lecture, ‘Setting the Agenda for Good Leadership in Africa’, a discussion on “Setting agenda for good leadership in Africa will ultimately link good governance, which has been the bane of underdevelopment in the continent. The story of woes that have become commonplace in Africa in general and our dear country, Nigeria, in particular, especially in view of recent history, calls for sober reflection on the way forward. This state of affairs has created an image problem for Africa such that the rest of the global community feels obliged to stay away from the continent in terms of investment and other collaborative efforts.” In his review, Gabriel Akinadewo said that the book ‘So Long Too Long Nigeria’, a compilation of Adeleye’s  weekly columns when he was the Business Editor of Nigerian Compass, is a lamentation on the state of decay which has brought the country to this pitiable level. Written in simple prose, Adeleye not only criticised policies of government, but also proffered solutions to Nigeria’s challenges. His style of writing educates, entertains, informs, investigates and moulds opinion.” Responding, Adeleye noted that, “If we reflect on the major discourse in our country for so long too long now, it’s about corruption- the EFCC arraigning people almost every day for stealing millions or billions of naira. A lot of people had stolen so much in the name of taking their share of the national cake, such that the young ones coming up can no longer think straight of how to be successful, but waiting for their turn.”