Could it have been that in imparting knowledge on their students, English Language Teachers often do not distinguish between the words ‘Leader’ and ‘Ruler’?
From the Professors in our various Universities, to the political thug used to unleash mayhem during election periods; from the heads of civil society/human right/pro-democracy organizations which abound in our polity to hapless youths used to stage all manners of rallies; from the religious gurus milking their congregation to the congregation stupefied into emptying their meager incomes towards the purse of their deities; down to the households, lack of understanding of the use of the terms ‘ruler’ and ‘leader’ seem to have been enshrined into our being.
How in heavens name could The Punch Newspapers (in this instance - most of us engage in this travesty) have referred to these crop of people who have, in their individual capacities and or as a collective, raped our contraption and its peoples to death – yes, death, not near-death as some are wont to think, as 'leaders'?
When we begin to address our home-grown kleptocrats appropriately, as rulers and not leaders, perhaps and only then, can we begin the process of making progress and returning to the comity of nations.
What the international community is beginning to realize, albeit belatedly, is the nexus between corruption, in for instance Nigeria, and international terrorism and criminality. Cleansing our polity of these crop of rascals ought to be not just of concern to Nigerians but also a priority of the international community.
High-level corruption, of the quantum prevalent in most of sub-Saharan Africa, is indeed a crime against humanity punishable under international laws.
http://www.punchng.com/news/nigerian-leaders-stole-n3tn-in-10-years-report/
Picture: The relationship between the ruler and the people
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