*LEADERSHIP: NIGERIA'S GREATEST CHALLENGE: CHIEF MRS ROSEMARY EMMANUEL.*


*By Amb Timothy Nwachukwu*
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*Chief Mrs Rosemary Nwakaego Emmanuel The Founder Egobekee Foundation For Better Living and the CEO, N-Petals Credit and Thrift Co-operative Society Limited has blamed Nigeria's economic woes on the leadership failure of the political class in Nigeria.*


She bemoaned the absence of development oriented leadership in Nigeria as most of the Nigerian leaders are not committed to the development of the
country.


*The Women Advancement Activist stated that unlike Nigeria, The transformational leaders of the success stories who significantly reduced poverty in Chile, China, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan; all demonstrated strong commitment to development, with clarity of vision and of goal in their various countries.*


She maintained that the statement "Our economy has been hopelessly mismanaged. We have become a debtor and beggarly nation. There is inadequacy of food at reasonable prices for our people, Health services are in shambles as our hospitals are reduced to mere consulting clinics, without drugs, water and equipment. Our educational system is deteriorating at an alarming rate.


Unemployment figures…, have reached embarrassing and unacceptable proportions. In some states, workers are being owed salary arrears of eight to twelve months and, in others, there are threats of salary cuts.


Yet our leaders revel in squandermania, corruption and indiscipline (and) continue to proliferate public appointments in complete disregard of our stark economic realities." as attributed to brigadier Sani Abacha in 1983 still holds sway about our present day Nigeria.


She opined that for Nigeria leaders to move the nation out of the dungeon of poverty and unemployment, that *There is a need to invest the oil revenue in the international capital market, open market up for foreign investors, develop the non-oil sectors, and create jobs.) the economic reforms should include setting the priority right and also a program to fight corruption in the country and not merely widow-dressing approach.*

*The educational sector needs a total overhauling and emphasis should be laid on job creations. The police should be equipped to deal with conflicts to avoid bloodshed and destruction.*



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*© Amb Timothy Nwachukwu, A Media Consultant and PR Manager writes from Awka and can be reached via +234897311499.*