The United Nations has advised Arab countries to
take Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) as an example in
establishing a regime based on justice and
democracy and encouraging knowledge

The UNDP in its 2002 Arab Human Development
Report , distributed around the world, listed six
sayings of Imam Ali (AS) about ideal governance.

They include consultation between the ruler and the
ruled, speaking out against corruption and other
wrong doings, ensuring justice to all, and achieving
domestic development.

The UNDP said most regional countries are still far
behind other nations in democracy, wide political
representation, women's participation,development
and knowledge.

Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (AS)'s sayings:

The UNDP quoted the following sayings of Imam Ali
(AS) in its 2002 Arab Human Development Report

1. "He who has appointed himself an Imam (ruler) of the people must begin by teaching himself before teaching others. His teaching of others must be first by setting an example rather than with his words, for he who begins by teaching and educating himself is more worthy of respect than he who teaches and educates others."

2. "Your concern with developing the land should be
greater than your concern for collecting taxes, for the latter can only be obtained by developing; whereas he who seeks revenue without development destroys the country and the people."

3. "Seek the company of the learned and the wise in
search of solving the problems of your country and
the righteousness of your people."

4. "No good can come out in keeping silent to the
government or in speaking out of ignorance."

5. "The righteous are men of virtue, whose logic is
straightforward, whose dress is unostentatious,
whose path is modest, whose actions are many and
who are undeterred by difficulties.

6. "Choose the best among your people to administer justice among them. Choose someone who does not easily give up, who is unruffled by enmities, someone who will not persist in wrong doings, who will not hesitate to pursue right once he knows it, someone whose heart knows no greed, who will not be satisfied with a minimum of explanation without seeking the maximum of understanding, who will be the most steadfast when doubt is cast, who will be the least impatient in correcting the opponent, the most patient in pursuing the truth, the most stern in meting out judgment, someone who is unaffected by flattery and not swayed by temptation and these are but few."

An ever-green government policy!
I only hope Nigeria and especially western African, who have been plagued by poor leadership and poor government policy for centuries, learn from this.

Former UN Sec. Gen.: