Oba of Benin, HRM Ewuare Ewuare 11 listening to an address presented by ex President Goodluck Jonathan during the visit
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
As the Nigeria nation in its 25 years journey of unbroken democracy continues to grapple with the challenges of the absence of good governance, the Benin Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II has encoded a message to Leaders, hinged on telling them the truth for the purpose of doing it right.
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Oba Ewuare II encoded the message in Benin language in response to the address of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in his Palace on a courtesy visit, Tuesday, 11 June, 2024.
Though the Monarch did not unveil the real meaning of the coded message and particular leader/Leaders it was targeted, he said it was in agreement with the drive of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.
He acknowledged that the Jonathan Goodluck Foundation drive for the right education to build the much desired good governance of Nigeria for today and tomorrow, was apt especially at this time.
In English he repeated; “If you don’t tell the person who is a spoiler of things, culture, norms, values, social, or ethics system the impact of what he does, he would think he is repairing it.”
The Monarch commended the former President for bringing the democracy dialogue to Benin, with the array of important personalities across Africa who would be attending.
As he noted that it was the former President personal recognition of the Kingdom, as a home of culture of Africa.
Earlier, former President Jonathan had informed in his address that they were in Benin, the Edo State Capital to hold a democracy dialogue under the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, which focuses on issues of consolidating democracy, issues of good governance and peace in Africa.
Towards actualising the desired foundation, education is key he pointed; adding that if citizens are not well prepared, they would not know what to do; indulging in bad or good acts at any given time.
Hence we think the education that should be given to our children is the one that will make them know the difference between good and bad, the one that will make them change society to a technological driven society; as education cannot be separated from democracy.
The guest speaker is a professor from Kenya as many leaders across Africa including the former Vice President Namadi Sambo would be in attendance, he said.
Selected by the Foundation, Jonathan says it includes consolidating democracy across the African continent, issues of good governance, and issues of standard practice of elections.
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On what elected leaders should offer in a democracy and governance, the dialogue would emphasize the issue of education as a tool to enable citizens transform the country.
Also, the link between standard, functional and quality education and strong political leadership and how it could transform the society.
