Sarah Jubril on community centre, farms laws

BY LEKAN BILESANMI As the wind of positive change blowing across the nation’s ethics and values landscape continues, a moral re-arming organization under the aegis of the Foundation for the Advancement of Ethics and Values, in conjunction with the office of the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values, Dr Sarah Jubril, has sent out a wake-up call on Nigerians on route to rediscovery of our age old norms. The South East- Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Mike Opara, said that the organization has concluded plans to honour some select Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in character and conduct, for it to remain a constant reminder and lesson to other citizens that honesty, industry and steadfastness is still appreciated. They include the immediate past governor of Anambra state, Chief Peter Obi, Prince Arthur Eze, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, former Ohaneze leader, HRH Eze Ozobu, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Capt (rtd) Emma Iheanacho, Chief Bethel Amadi, Chief Jerry Chukwueke and chief Chukwuma Nwazunku. Others include Senators Chris Anyanwu, Igwe Nwagu, Sony Ogbuoji, Prince Offor Chukwuegbo, Chief Ezenwa Itanyi, Chief Alex Okafor, Chief Obasi Lawson, Chief Leonard Okoye, Chief Kennedy Oparah and chief Chris Oranu, amongst others. According to the group, their lives have been promoting the nation’s ethics and values. He said that for a sound national development to be achieved, there is need for all to adopt a new positive social order right from the family, community, ward, council up to the state level, so as to affect the national life. He therefore charged every citizen to always think of how things would positively affect the general society, instead of one’s self only. As the 2015 general elections approaches, the coordinator wants all at the political party level to seek out persons with high moral and ethical standards, not just one who has connections or financial muscle to buy his way through. Without closing eyes on other primordial considerations like geo-balance and zoning, Dr Opara appealed to Nigerians from every state, geopolitical zone or party to go for only one with sound and verifiable values and character. That the right questions need to be asked whether he was known for accountability, educated, with sound judgment. According to him, “today you can see the difference between President Goodluck Jonathan and others. He’s well educated, chooses experts for their core areas of assignments and doesn’t stress up anyone he assigns responsibility to. He allows his subordinates to prove their mettle on the job, not to breathe down one’s neck all the time. That is what democracy is all about. He noted that as we have generals in the army, so is Jonathan a general in democratic norms, ethics and values, pointing out that no one will make any proper progress without the education of the body, mind and spirit. The group, he stated has therefore planned a sustained series of spiritual reawakening programmes and messages round the country from up to the family and ward units for self rediscovery. The honours award is expected within the week, while a national rally would come up in Enugu next month where every Nigerian was invited as special guests. The gatherings and other activities, according to Opara were to also raise awareness and support for the bill currently before the National Assembly seeking the establishment of Solution’s Laboratory comprising the Community Transformation Centers and Community Transformation Farms (CTCs & CTFs), which the office of the Special Adviser to President on Ethics and Values is facilitating, which will act as a data/information gathering unit by which to advise Mr. President more correctly and accurately. That the National Assembly supports the reason for the celebration of a National Ethics Day which is slated for March 14 annually. And also for the National Assembly to support the proposal to the United Nations to begin to budget, fund and celebrate International Ethics Day annually. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/sarah-jubril-community-centre-farms-laws/#sthash.niVRfurk.dpuf