A legal practitioner, Christopher Eichie, said corruption, weak institutions and declining ethical values remain major obstacles to Nigeria’s development.

Mr Eichie said this at the investiture of Rotarian Nosa Ayemien as the 12th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa, held on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Mr Eichie, Nigeria has abundant natural resources, a youthful population, and entrepreneurial resilience, but it continues to face developmental challenges that undermine national progress.

According to him, weak institutional accountability, abuse of public trust and insecurity have constrained development despite the country’s enormous human and economic potential.

“The absence of integrity remains one of Nigeria’s greatest developmental challenges.

“Leadership, integrity and service are inseparable pillars upon which enduring national development rests. Remove one pillar, and the structure becomes unstable,” he said.

Mr Eichie attributed corruption and financial crimes to the erosion of ethical values.

He explained that integrity encompassed honesty, transparency, professional ethics, respect for the rule of law and prudent resource management.

The lawyer said that governments alone could not transform Nigeria, urging ethical leadership across sectors.

Mr Eichie stressed that leadership should reflect vision, courage, accountability, empathy, service and measurable impact.

He called for stronger institutions, saying nations progressed when systems remained stronger than individuals and consistently rewarded integrity instead of dishonesty.

Mr Eichie advocated greater investment in education, mentorship and skills development, while urging leaders to promote national unity through inclusion, tolerance and mutual respect.

He commended Rotary International’s humanitarian initiatives and said, “Leadership without integrity becomes oppression. Integrity without service becomes self-righteousness. Service without leadership lacks direction.”

Mr Eichie urged Nigerians to embrace ethical leadership, integrity and selfless service, expressing confidence that collective commitment would build a stronger, more peaceful and prosperous nation.

(NAN)