DELSU Vice Chancellor Urges Nigerian Leaders to Embrace Integrity for National Development

Delta State University (DELSU) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Andy Egwuyenga, has called on Nigerian leaders to prioritize integrity in governance to drive national development. Delivering the 2024 Annual Public Service Lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Asaba Chapter, Egwuyenga emphasized that leadership anchored in integrity is key to sustainable development.

Speaking on the theme "Integrity and National Development: What Nexus?" Egwuyenga outlined the essential role of integrity in fostering progress. He argued that without integrity, Nigeria’s path to national development would remain challenging, as policymakers and state builders have long neglected this crucial value.

"Leaders of integrity are essential for identifying and maximizing opportunities from the nation's resources," Egwuyenga stated. He added that integrity not only promotes growth but also eliminates corruption at every level of society, bridging the gap between rich and poor nations.

Egwuyenga further explained that integrity encompasses four dimensions: personal, workplace, professional, and political. He encouraged leaders to uphold these values in all their dealings, noting that a reputation built on integrity is the foundation of effective governance.

In his address, J.I. Kagho, Chairman of UIAA, Asaba Chapter, highlighted the significant contributions of the University of Ibadan alumni to Nigeria’s political, economic, and cultural landscape over the past six decades.

This call for integrity resonates amid growing concerns about leadership and governance in Nigeria. Prof. Egwuyenga's message underscores the critical need for moral uprightness in shaping a prosperous future for the nation.