A former President of the West African College of Surgeons, Prof. Adeyinka Omigbodun, has expressed concerns over the current hardship Nigerians are facing due to the hike in commodity prices.
Omigbodun attributed the hardship to poor leadership but cautioned that street protests are not the best way to address the challenges. He stressed that peaceful demonstrations are the right of the citizens but noted that followers also have a crucial role in ensuring the right people are in power to implement policies that benefit the masses.
Speaking at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo, where he delivered the fourth Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe Distinguished Lecture, Omigbodun said, “It is not until you protest on the street before you get your feelings known.
It is good for followers to express their concerns if something is not being done properly, so corrections can be made. A responsible and listening leader will heed the concerns of their followers.
“Leadership is also a product of followership, so all of us must strive to be better leaders. If everyone does their part, our nation will develop. Every country in the world faces leadership problems, and Nigeria is no different.”
Omigbodun, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Ibadan, spoke on the topic “Leadership, Mentorship, and Academic Development in Nigeria.” He emphasised that both leadership and followership have significant roles to play in Nigeria’s progress and overcoming its challenges.