Empathy key to curbing graft, says ex-Edo AG
Former Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Henry Idahagbon, has said empathy among leaders is the surest way to curb graft in public offices.
Idahagbon, now the Federal Commissioner representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states at the Federal Civil Service Commission, stated this in an interview on Sunday.
He said every Nigerian is entitled to a good life, adding that governance becomes easier when leaders genuinely care about the people.
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Empathy key to curbing graft, says ex-Edo AG
Nathan Tamarapreye
Former Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Henry Idahagbon, has said empathy among leaders is the surest way to curb graft in public offices.
Idahagbon, now the Federal Commissioner representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states at the Federal Civil Service Commission, stated this in an interview on Sunday.
He said every Nigerian is entitled to a good life, adding that governance becomes easier when leaders genuinely care about the people.
According to him, “If we have people in government who have empathy and human feelings for the people, it will be very easy to develop our country.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the government has made significant efforts to reform Nigeria’s economy over the past two and a half years.
“Yes, things are tough, no doubt, because rebuilding a country or an institution is a difficult process. But there is a silver lining at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Idahagbon noted that current economic policies have laid a solid foundation and cannot be easily reversed by future administrations. He added that several state governors are also making positive impacts in their states.
He said Nigerians have endured years of hardship, tracing the continent’s challenges to slavery, colonialism and persistent underdevelopment.
“Africa remains the least developed continent today, despite being richly endowed with natural resources. This is why many Africans migrate in search of a better life,” he said.
He stressed that people continue to leave Nigeria and Africa because everyone desires a decent standard of living.
Idahagbon listed Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu among those he said were positively transforming their states’ economies.
He emphasised that leaders must prioritise quality governance and healthy competition to drive development across the country.
“Our state, Edo, cannot afford to be left behind. You travel across Nigeria and see flyovers everywhere, but when you come to Edo, Benin still looks like an ancient city,” he said.
He added that the Edo State governor had expressed a commitment to preserving Benin’s ancient heritage while developing modern infrastructure, citing Delta State’s approval of a major flyover project in Agbor as an example of progressive development.
