A former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Professor Afeez Oladosu, has declared that leadership positions are not tickets for the illegal amassment of wealth.
Oladosu, who is a professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, warned political office holders against the illegal amassment of wealth while in positions of authority.
The don made the declaration on Sunday in Ibadan while delivering a lecture titled “Maintaining Legacy, Promoting Effective Leadership” at the inauguration of newly appointed executive members of the Oyo State Muslim Community, led by Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN.
The event was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria, Professor Wole Abass; Chief Imam of Oyoland, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akewugberu; Baba Isale Musulumi of Oyo State, Chief Nureni Akanbi; and outgoing Chairman of the community, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni.
Oladosu, while addressing the gathering, advised politicians who are contesting in the forthcoming general elections to remember that political offices are not avenues to corner wealth illegally.
He added that the offices should be used to serve humanity and not to corner state resources for personal use.
Oladosu, while speaking further, appealed to people in positions of authority to remember that they will all account for their deeds.
Oladosu said, “In my presentation, I told the gathering that all of us will account for our deeds. We should see positions of authority as service to God and humanity and not as service to ourselves. We should use the opportunity to connect with the less privileged. The outgoing executives achieved some things and I encouraged the new executives to build on them.
“And I also mentioned in my presentation the need for leadership across the country to see leadership as an opportunity to serve and not an opportunity for individuals to amass wealth illegally. They should see it as an opportunity to serve Nigerians.”
Gbadamosi, in his inaugural address, noted that the community under his watch will liaise with the government to improve the condition of public schools in the state.
He said that doing this will help to reduce the rate of social problems in the state.
Gbadamosi said, “Most importantly, I said that we will liaise with the government to improve the condition of public schools in Oyo State because if we improve the condition of schools, we are saving the future.
“We will encourage the people to pay Zakat and Sadakat and distribute them to the people who are in need. That will help to reduce the level of poverty in the state. It is a matter of encouragement.”
