Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has been awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree in international relations by the Ecotes University,Benin Republic at the weekend.
The award according to the awarding institution was in recognition of his leadership qualities and contributions to human Relations across the globe.
In his presentation titled ‘Strategic issues in Leadership’ at the graduation ceremony of the university shortly before the award was bestowed on the distinguish Senator, Professor Simeon U. Nnah a lecturer, consultant and director general of the research institute for African Development averred that leadership develops daily and not in a day and are so recognized and honoured.
According to the erudite professor, what distinguishes leaders from followers is the capacity to improve ones skills,adding that “when you recognize your lack of skills and begin the daily discipline of personal growth in leadership, you will emerge a great leader.
“great leaders empathize with others, they touch your hearts before they ask for your hands. A leader that cannot raise other leaders is a failure, a leaders lasting value is measured by succession and the legacy they live behind speaks for them ” he stressed.
In his response to the honour done to him, Senator Sani described Benin republic as not just a good neighbour but a reliable friend of Nigeria brought together by geography and kept together by history and destiny.
“The past challenges Africa fought was Slavery,colonialism and imperialism.The present challenges confronting Africa and Africans is Terrorism, Economic colonialism, Human trafficking, drug trafficking,xenophobia,irregular migration. We must stand up to it.
“Europe is not a greener pasture and Africans must end the perilous journey across the sahara.African governments must wake up and address the socio economic issues propelling our young people to embark of dangerous journey to illusive greener pastures in Europe”.
He emphasised the need for all Africans to close ranks and combat the menace of racism against black people across the globe.
Stressing, “Racist attacks against black people in the US,Europe,India,China,Israel,Arab nations must end.Humanity cannot claimed to have attained a civilized status as long as there exist a large number of its members still holding the contemptuous belief that one race is superior to another.
“African political elites are in the habit of praying for the sickness or deaths of leaders or rulers they don’t like or are uncomfortable with.Sickness and death of leaders has become part of options and strategies in African politics. Its unAfrican for people to exploit natural issues like sickness for political ends.
“African political elites destroyed the very public education system that produced them.Education is power and the most portent of weapons to challenge all vices.
“Social media is the power of the 21st century. Young people must use it to fight tyranny, corruption, Terrorism and campaign against human trafficking and irregular migration”.
He urged that social media should be used to promote pan Africanism, peace and social justice.
