A Nigerian priest has predicted the emergence of excellent minded persons to take over the reins of governance of the country in the next 30 years.
Rev. Fr. Patrick Edet who spoke this on Wednesday in Grace Family programme broadcast by a privately owned, Planet 101.1 FM, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State explained that men of impeccable records, excellent character, sincere and passionate people with the intent to develop their society and the entire country would take over the leadership.
Edet also foresaw “A time is coming when mediocrity will be taken away and godfatherism will not be in vogue. There will be revolution in this country to restore sanity and reposition the country for meaningful development.”
Edet further predicted that due to lack of preparation for and dismal performance in the public office, many people in the country who are holding political power would end up in prisons in 30 years to come.
According to him, some political leaders and public office holders would be drafted into prisons due to their inability to meet the expectations of their office owing to lack of preparation.
He lamented that many political leaders are in the habit of craving for power without taking time and years to adequately prepare themselves for the demands and responsibilities of the office, saying “I am seeing the future of those scrambling for power today ending up in prisons in 30 years to come.”
The priest advised “I want people to prepare for leadership. Don’t wait for any position to meet you because you would not be able to manage it. Do not believe in ‘man-know-man’. Do not say ‘this is our turn when you did not prepare for the leadership position else you will mess up and disappoint your generation.’
“Reposition yourself in order to perform while in office to achieve greatness. Take as many years as possible to prepare for what you want to become in life instead of waking up to vie for a position.”
He, however, condemned defectors from one political party to another, querying “What is the difference between one poltical party and another? What is the difference between Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress? What are the issues and programmes politicians bring up that will alleviate the sufferings of the people instead of whipping up primordial sentiments?
“People just mill around parties without asking what those political parties can do or can offer to change the lives of people and the society. What are the politicians bringing to the table that can change lives? A time is coming when votes of the electorates will count in this country.”
Edet noted that “This country will change. I will be alive to see a generation of people who will change the society. Excellent minded persons will take over the leadership of Nigeria in the next 30 years. A time is coming when mediocrity will be taken away and godfatherism will not be in vogue. There will be revolution. A time is coming when votes of the electorates will count.
“I see a generation political scientists, consultants and scientists coming to change the society. I foresee a generation of economic and intellectual leaders in the next 30 years. We need economic and intellectual leaders. We do not need intellectual leaders who are university professors- those extort money from their students to award marks, those who sexually abuse students and dent the future of our young ones.
“If you are a student, take time to prepare yourself for tomorrow. Do not go for certificates alone in your academic pursuit but go for skill to withstand the societal demands,” he counselled.
