'Those who take more than necessary from the commonwealth are not well' – Kolade

Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Dr Christopher Kolade, said yesterday that those who steal from the nation’s treasury are ill.‎

Kolade said this while speaking at a symposium, organised by Posterity Media in Lagos.

 He said Nigeria can only achieve the change it desires, when issues of ethno-religion differences are jettisoned and individual qualities, especially on morals and values are allowed for national integration.

“Now, imagine that I walk into this gathering ‎with numerous necklaces on my neck and about seven to 10 wrist watches on both wrists, I’m sure many of you will say this man is not well. So it is for those who take from the nation’s commonwealth. Those who take more than necessary from the commonwealth are not well,” Kolade said.

The elder statesman said the true change Nigeria seeks is actually etched on three prerequisites which include God, the Nigerian people and the realisation that this country is for everybody.

“I am aware that many of you have travelled to different parts of the world in search of greener pastures. Those countries you travelled to are your lands of opportunities, while Nigeria is your country of birth. There are those who make your land of opportunities great, so you also have a responsibility to make your country to excel like your land of opportunities,” Kolade said.‎

The former High Commissioner to Britain also asked individuals to start the change movement in themselves by making use of their heads, hands, hearts and habits. He also reiterated the need for Nigerians to make personal sacrifices for the nation’s greatness.

“When some people are put in places to manage resources, their heads tell them that they are now in control. So, they start taking out of the money. They may call it security vote or something like that. When they do that consistently, it becomes a habit. That means their hands are in control of their ‎heads. But God in his mercy has given us hearts which make it easier for us to reject things that are bad,” Kolade said.

Dailytrust

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