By Ghazali Ibrahim
A powerful message titled “A Call to Conscience: Reclaiming the Soul of Governance Through Personal Responsibility” has gained traction on social media, urging both citizens and newly elected local government officials in Lagos State to reflect on their role in shaping effective governance.
The message, shared today, under the Facebook page of Amodu Taofeek Olorunjedalo popularly known as Jedatech, challenges the popular narrative that government is inherently bad, instead asserting that government is merely a vessel which its character is defined by those who occupy it.
“Government is simply an empty vessel, a lifeless body that takes on the character of its occupants,” the message reads. “It is we, the people, who breathe life into institutions—either through integrity or through indifference.”
The post calls for a shift in mindset, noting that broken institutions often reflect the values or lack thereof of the individuals within them.
It highlights that societal decay in schools, hospitals, roads, and democracy itself cannot be solved by merely replacing faces, but by a collective commitment to values like accountability, courage, and fairness.
Specifically, the message offers a timely admonition to newly elected Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councillors, who are closest to the grassroots and hold significant influence in the daily lives of citizens.
“You have the trust of the grassroots, and the power to lead with vision and virtue,” the message states.
“Let your actions remind the people that good leadership is still possible when driven by integrity.”
The post concludes with a call for collective self-reflection and action:
“Let us stop pointing fingers at a lifeless body and instead infuse it with our best selves. Governance reflects the governed—be the change that steers the system right.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with governance challenges at all levels, the message serves as both a wake-up call and a moral blueprint for leadership rooted in personal responsibility.
