“He demonstrated in the book that Nigerians can only build a Nigeria of their dreams if they make bold efforts to love her above their individual selves and narrow interests.
“Let me say here that there is no controverting these critical issues raised by the author, and that indeed, for this government, these words amount to preaching to the converted.
“Our mantra is CHANGE, starting with individual attitudinal change.
“That explains why this administration will soon launch a major campaign, tagged CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME.
“It is aimed at getting Nigerians to realise that the change they so much desire starts with them,’’ he said.
On the call by the author of the book for leaders to undertake programmes that will enhance the living standard of Nigerians, the president said the present government was already towing that path.
He stressed that the 2016 Budget was designed to bring millions of Nigerians out of poverty, enhance the living conditions of the citizens as well as put smiles to their faces.
“Our N500 billion Social Intervention Fund, which is unprecedented, will, among others, create jobs for 500,000 unemployed graduates and 370,000 unemployed non-graduates.
“It will provide loans for one million Nigerians, including market men and women as well as artisans, to start up small businesses.
“It will feed 4.5 million school children, ensure conditional cash transfers to the most vulnerable (not unemployed graduates) citizens and provide scholarships to students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“When the author also noted that Nigerians can only build a Nigeria of their dreams if they make bold efforts to love her above their individual selves and narrow interests, he could not have said it better.
“Anyone who puts his or her country over and above other interests will not engage in unbridled corruption, divert money meant for public use to private purposes or divert money for the national treasury into private pockets.
“When we put the public interest above our personal interests, the society benefits, but when the reverse is the case, the society suffers,’’ he said.
He further said the remark by the author that challenges that came with multi-ethnic nations like Nigeria required patience, understanding and willingness to subordinate personal and sectional interests to the overriding interests of the nation was apt.
The author of the book, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, called on Nigerian leaders to govern effectively and use power wisely, saying that it was the only way to safeguard the citizens’ interest.
He challenged Nigerians to show more love for their fatherland by rising above tribe, ethnic, religious and political persuasions, to subdue personal interests to the overriding interest of the country.
According to him, to love Nigeria will entail Nigerians critically revising and re-examining their attitudes, values and how they treat one another, adding that “it demands of us some sacrifice”.
“Are we going to bequeath to them a banner stained by corruption, bad governance, ineffective leadership, ethnicity, slacking moral values, decadence, mediocrity and sloth? God forbid,’’ he said.
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