By Milcah Tanimu
In a powerful address, Pastor Tunde Bakare, the general overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, has called for a culture of dialogue to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria. Speaking at the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Memorial Lecture 2024, held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Victoria Island, Lagos, Bakare emphasized the necessity for open-minded dialogue among all parties.
Bakare criticized Nigerian politicians for not living lean or sacrificing like the citizens they expect to endure economic hardships. He pointed out the disparity between the leaders’ opulent lifestyles and the struggling populace in his keynote address themed, “Cultivating a Culture of Dialogue: Nurturing Understanding in a Culturally and Socially Diverse Nation.”
“All parties must approach the dialogue table with open minds, effective communication, and empathy,” Bakare stated. He underscored that transparent communication and empathetic leadership are crucial for building trust and understanding. According to Bakare, empathy involves seeing beyond one’s perspective and understanding others’ experiences, sharing in their joys and sorrows, and feeling their pain and burdens.
Bakare’s critique extended to the recent #Endbadgovernance protests in Nigeria, highlighting that hunger and hardship transcend religion, tribe, or political affiliation. He remarked, “Hunger is a unifier. Citizens are reacting to the hashtag #EndBadGovernance protests across the land because hunger does not discriminate.”
The cleric stressed that Nigerian leaders have mostly failed to show empathy. “How do you live so large while your people are ravished in penury?” he questioned, urging for leaders to align their lifestyles with the sacrifices they ask of their citizens.
Pastor Bakare’s address resonates with the widespread dissatisfaction expressed in the #Endbadgovernance protests, which have seen citizens from all regions and walks of life demanding better governance and economic conditions. His call for empathetic and transparent leadership comes at a crucial time when Nigeria faces significant socio-economic challenges.
