The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, weekend lauded Professor Paschal Okolie as he was decorated with the Papal Honor of Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester (KSS) conferred on him by Pope Francis.
Bishop Onaga, who spoke at the Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Enugu, during the Conferment and thanksgiving mass to mark the event, emphasised the need for good character and integrity on the part of the recipients of the Papal Honor. He noted that the honor should portray them as good people in any leadership position they find themselves.
NewsBitsng.com recalls that Professor Okolie successfully delivered his inaugural lecture at the University of America, California, USA, titled, “National Development Plans and Public Finance Management: The Role of Leadership Integrity in National Development,” on 23rd November 2024.
Okolie, who is professor of Public Finance and Accounting in the University and a Visiting Professor at the Spiritan University Nneochi, Abia State, Nigeria, identified positive character and integrity as panacea for the failures of national development plans. He maintained that the difference between developed and underdeveloped nations were mainly caused by men of questionable characters who found themselves at the corridor of power and used the opportunity to divert public treasury to their private purses.
He further stated that organizations, no matter how grounded would be run down if the management is infested with men without integrity. He also said that part of the roles of leadership in governments is prudent management of financial resources of the nation for public good.
He cited Zimbabwe during the tenure of Robert Mugabe, as a country managed by a leader without integrity, adding that there was hyperinflation, poverty and other obnoxious government policies during his reign between 1980 and 2017.
He equally said that there was weakened economy which led to widespread poverty and infrastructure decay in Nigeria during the tenure of the former Head of State, General Sani Abacha whose government was notorious for embezzlement of public funds as evidenced by multiple recoveries of looted funds from within and outside Nigeria.
“The hallmarks of national development plan is the outcome. Some countries with failed national development is caused by people who have no character and integrity. If the leaders have character and integrity, it affects the way they view the Issue of public finance and accounting.
Somebody may become a president of a nation and instead of pursuing the overall interest of the people, he personalizes opportunities to his selfish interests either to favour himself, his cronies or his religion. Citing Drucker, he observed that a man might know too little, perform poorly and lack judgement and yet do no damage as a manager, but if a man lacks character and integrity, no matter how knowledgeable, brilliant and successful , he destroys. The major challenge we have in governance across the world is having leaders with questionable characters and integrity. It then follows that positive character and integrity can act as panacea for failures of government.
“Various countries adopt different development plans. Some of these plans fail no matter how beautiful they may be. The failure of some development plans lie on how countries apply them. For a development plan to be successful, it has to be anchored on health, industries, infrastructure and education. Any development plan that does not address these key areas will fail.
“Development plans must address human elements, it must guarantee the sustainability of individuals in the society and take care of human capital development which can only happen through investment in education and skills training and healthcare. Combination of these three factors would translate into human capital development,” he said.
In his remarks, the guest of honour at the University of America and Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Professor Polycarp Chigbu, lauded the University Management for their contribution to research and innovation.
He described the lecture as timely, insisting that nations must investigate the antecedents of those seeking political offices before giving them leadership positions. He commended the Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Paschal Okolie, for a well researched and delivered lecture.
The lecture was attended by the Ag. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Polycap Chigbu; Dr and Mrs. Bethrand Odume; Pharm. Obinna Ozota and friends; Dr. Leonard Njamenze, Dr. Santus Orgazi, Dr. Ezeani Emeka, Dr. Nnenna Ugwu and a host of others from within and outside USA.
He was jointly presented the Inaugural Lecture Certificate by the Principal Officers of the University of America, namely Pro-Chancellor, Prof. T. E. Vanbuskirk, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gamaliel O. Prince, the Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Princess Shullam and the Registrar, Mrs Gracia Roemer.
