A cleric, Sheikh Jamiu Bello, on Friday, called on Nigerian leaders to reflect on past mistakes in order to make amends and ensure good governance and socio-economic development of the country.
Bello, who is the Grand Imam of Ekiti, made the call while delivering his Juma’at sermon in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Bello is also the President-General, League of Imams and Alfas in South-West, Edo and Delta.
According to him, it is one thing to make mistakes as humans, while it is divine to reflect and make necessary adjustment and corrections for future benefits.
He said the advent of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 gave ample opportunities for leaders in all spheres to correct noticeable anomalies and make things better.
Bello particularly mentioned the nation’s health and education sectors as requiring critical reforms to align with the realities of COVID-19 protocols.
“The nation’s health and education sectors were badly affected following government directives in the bid to curtail the community spread of the deadly virus.
“The sudden emergence of COVID-19 didn’t give room for adequate emergencies as our health and education system were overstretched.
“But moving forward, government should not just fold its arms and watch, but reflect on the lessons of the pandemic to position the sectors adequately and effectively.
“The education system needs to be reformed in such a way that it will be conducive for learning while also taking into account adherence to COVID-19 protocols to stay safe and healthy,” he said.
Bello also used the opportunity to advise the youth to do more toward taking up leadership positions in the nearest future.
“Our youths need to be more preoccupied with equipping themselves academically and to also embrace skills, vocations and government’s entrepreneurship initiative to be self-reliance.
“This is the only way they can be useful and productive for themselves and the nation, rather than engaging in illicit acts,” he said.
The Islamic cleric also charged parents, community leaders and religious leaders to be alive to their responsibility of ensuring a decent society. (NAN)