Anambra state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has said that ethical leadership is a promoter of transparency, accountability and merit, even as he encouraged leaders in the country to apply it and see the benefits.
Soludo made this known at the weekend, while delivering a lecture titled: “Ethical Leadership, Security and Sustainable Development”, organised by The ‘Ethics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Higher Education Strategy (EAISTRAP)’, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
He said, “ethical leadership means doing what is right, following due process and acknowledging merit no matter whose ox is gored, adding that, “this is why ethical leadership promotes transparency, accountability and merit not considering who is involved or where one comes from.
“In ethical leadership, political patronage has no place, merit is rewarded through hard work and dedication to duty as well as judicious use of resources”, he pointed out.
The governor noted that his administration was anchored on ethical leadership that rewards merit and hard work in both employments and appointments not minding if one was an indigene of Anambra state or not.
He, however, observed that ethical leadership had its disadvantages and setbacks as people who believe in cutting corners would attack a leader who insisted on ethics, good values and merit.
The governor said his administration was flushing out fake pastors and native doctors in the state, “because these people are deceiving our people, especially the youths, by telling them that one can become rich overnight without hard work.
“Our forefathers believed in hard work. I do not know where these fake pastors and native doctors got idea that when you perform one evil ritual or the other you get rich over night without hard work”, he queried.
“My administration is prosecuting many of them and if they are found guilty by the court they will be jailed,” he warned.
In his remark, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, the Acting Vice-chancellor of UNN, said that the university would continue to be guided by fundamental ethics of restoring the dignity of man.
Ujam, who was represented by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Romanus Chukwudulue Ezeokonkwo, the Deputy Chancellor described Governor Soludo as a super lion and great ambassador of UNN who has done the University proud in many ramifications.
In his address, Prof. Nzeadibe noted that Prof. Soludo was chosen because of his administration’s ethical leadership in Anambra state.