 Citizens with Nigerian values demand leaders with foreign attributes. I love to address this issue concerning the people. Generally, our mentality, our approach, our understanding of issues. I'm often not populist with my views as long as it addresses a pertinent issue bedeviling the society. The reason is simple. We cannot correct wrong with wrong. Before you remove the toothpick in someone's eye, first remove the electric pole in yours. So our governments disappointed us. They are disappointing us and will most likely continue to disappoint us. They are not accountable. Neither are they transparent. They lack empathy. They are self-centered and lack compassion. They talk a lot but do very little. These are the facts, at least that is the way it plays out. But I have one question. Are we different as a people? Last week, I was at the Lagos Secretariat in Al-Ausa on the street, a driver coming my way who needed directions at the Secretariat parked in the middle of the road which already had double packing to ask passersby for help. I haven't waited for a few seconds. I honked, tweeted. After the second time, he looked at me, waved and continued his interaction. This is a non-government official. Same last week, during the Ghana-Nigeria female football match, some people, including journalists, were prevented from entering the stadium. What was even worse, celebrated Super Eagle's player Eguavon was also prevented before sanity was restored. The security man is an average Nigerian, not a politician abusing power. Gradually as a people, we have found ourselves at a place where we are everything we call government. Selfish, insensitive, dishonest, unfair, unaccountable, highly intolerant and the list goes on. So when a larger lime-warmed or any of the president's communication aids speak to Nigerians in a manner that is discomfiting, we get angry. But is that not how we talk to each other? Even in our private companies, the gate man demand for riba, you know what that is, bribe. Before certain things are done, the secretary is sluggish in carrying out her task or duty until you grease her palm, and when contracts are issued, the procurement department already have an agreement with the supplier. He or she has to do the needful. The other day, my niece, who is currently seven in the nation, National Youth Service Corps, had gone to the local government office as it is the weekly tradition, when she was about to leave the gate of the institution, the gate man, and elderly somebody looked at her and asked for a tip. She was obviously leaving, considering the longer hours he had had to wait at the place. When she told me, the first thing that came to mind was, how could an employed old man ask an unemployed young lady for money? Where does he expect her to get the money from? Prostitution, yahoo yahoo. Church workers inflate the cost of items they buy for the church. Yet, when they invite you to church and you turn it down, they don't understand why. It is laughable to call for resignation of Governor Saoulu because of the inconsistencies around the NSAS event in 2020. When asked of people, we ignore the inaccuracies and inconsistencies of our family members, friends, and people we love when they fail in their assignments. I always ask a question, how many of us can set up a business, recruit fellow Nigerians, and travel out of Nigeria, expecting accountability from our employees back in Nigeria? Leadership is an extension of the people. We dwell in partiality, yet we demand upright leaders. Where do these leaders come from? Do we import them specifically for leadership? We need to stop being citizens with Nigerian values, as it is right now, demanding for leaders with foreign attributes. What does this foreign attribute to? Accountability. Let me tell you, those foreigners have started this thing in the first place that we've learnt. Let's say that. All this foreign is better. The ones who started this, the ones who instituted this, the ones who taught us this, they are the kings of all this. When we say that, I know what that makes me feel. It makes me feel that we are so wicked people because they taught us, yes, we all agree. But when we look at their system, it's different. I have worked with foreigners, the ones that work here and the ones that work abroad. They are also crooks. When they come here, the leaders are streets, they drive against traffic, they send people that go to their countries. When they roam, darling, when they roam. The point here is what makes them, what do you call it, what do you call it, foreign attributes, is the law and the policies they have governed. It's not done. And the enforcement. Because we have those laws. If we can just enforce the laws. Remember when we had the law against indiscipline things, they were all the way back. Everybody was together. No matter if it was seat belt, why do you wear seat belt? Sometimes you don't feel like wearing it. But you know what last month would do to you if you don't wear it. No, I don't wear it because of last month, I wear it because of myself. That's you. The majority of people wear it. We have worn it. Even when it's traffic, we wear it. Most people do that not because of their life, because they are in traffic anyway. So there's no speed, there's nothing that will kill them. But we know what will happen. There's the enforcement part of that seat belt rule. That's why. So let your government be from our stock and be like us. We don't have a problem. But let your government enforce the laws. The thing is in chemistry. That's what we call qualitative analysis of a substance. If you bring that ocean water, a cup, take a cup, get to the ocean, fetch the water. The same constituent of that water is always the same thing with the larger ocean body. Now, if you put in the Nigerian situation, you put some of these constituents, you call them political figures in public offices, they are going to behave like other Nigerians because it's the same quality. Number two, on the principle of convention. I remember I had this opportunity of interacting with a lecturer back then in school, I think a doctor of anatomy, if I'm not mistaken, he was saying something on convention that when you are a child, you want to brush your teeth, you like the toothpaste, it tastes sweet, right? And your child is fond of licking it. What do you do as a mother? You spank him or her? He doesn't know. You're enforcing the right values. Do the right thing. He doesn't know why. But to him it's sweet. But when he grows old, he understands that it's not good. So that's what Nigeria is. We need to enforce the right values. Use the seat belt because you understand. Some people don't understand, but we need to enforce it. Maybe time will evolve and then be convinced that they have to use it. And you're very right. All of you are right. But you see, where I'm coming from is this. Even the Americans today, the Britons today that I've said you all have lost, there were times where they were worse than Nigeria, like Nigeria, or close to what Nigeria was. I will not take that as an excuse. No, no, hold on. But this is where I'm going. But at a point, some people stood up and said there must be a change. I get that. And that is what I'm saying. So we need to stand up. So we need to stand up. We try with answers. You do not allow the thing to sit down. I'm not a part of the government. But you see, even the answers, and I was going to speak on the answers to the brother, okay, I know some other people would do well. I know you did well. That's what I said and I won't touch it. But you see, with the answers, I tell, this might be, if we know that the government is bad, or if people, not just the government, because even if you change the party colours and the emblem, it's the same thing. So that's why I don't like saying the politicians are not giving us what we want. Now, one thing we need to look out for is that you wouldn't try once and expect a change. It has to be consistent. We have to do it again. Exactly. And that is what we couldn't do. So, well, we can go on and on about this. I need to say one more thing. I will still enter. It's separating my body. Go on. Why must we here? Compliments, happy weekend, good Friday, all this. Obviously, people want you to... But again, these are people that have employment who are doing their job, but they're doing their job to say, ah, anything for the boys. Yeah. So I always respond, anything for the girls? Yeah. So me too, I'm also tired of being there. The fact that traffic lights are a suggestion. Things like that. That basic things that would make movement for the general populace better. But we just can't wait for that. Well, there's so much to talk about in that. But, you know, we hope our conversation continues to resonate with you. Join us again next week on another edition of The Advocate. The Advocate continues on our social media platforms on Facebook, Plus TV Africa, hashtag The AdvocateNG, and Instagram at Plus TV Africa, hashtag The AdvocateNG. To catch up with previous broadcasts, go to PlusTVAfrica.com or slash The AdvocateNG. Do not forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel, Plus TV Africa. Join us next week, same time on this station. Let's keep advocating for a better society. I'll be there soon.