ABUJA: Former Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Henry Idahagbon, has said empathy among leaders remains the most effective antidote to corruption in public office.
Idahagbon, now Federal Commissioner representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo States at the Federal Civil Service Commission, stated this during an interview with journalists in Abuja.
He said governance would become easier and more impactful if public office holders genuinely cared about the welfare of the people.
According to him, every Nigerian is entitled to a decent standard of living, adding that leadership anchored on compassion and human values would accelerate national development.
Idahagbon commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying the country was on the right trajectory despite prevailing economic challenges.
He noted that rebuilding any nation was a difficult process, stressing that current reforms, though painful, were laying a solid foundation that future governments would find difficult to reverse.
He also praised some state governors, including Alex Otti of Abia, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, for what he described as positive efforts to reposition their states economically.
The former Attorney-General emphasised the need for quality governance, insisting that Edo State must not lag behind in infrastructure development.
He said Governor Okpebholo’s vision to modernise Benin City while preserving its ancient heritage was commendable, noting that neighbouring states were making significant investments in infrastructure.
Idahagbon called for healthy competition among governors, saying it would accelerate development and improve the quality of life of citizens
