FOLLOWING the dramatic and brutal end of Muammar Gadaffi's 42-year rule, Nigerians from all works of life have tasked African leaders to learn from the development and provide the transformational leadership needed by the continent.Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has congratulated Libyans for successfully bringing an end to Muammar Gadaffi's 42-year rule.A statement by the spokesman of the group, Kunle Famoriyo, said 'without doubt, Gadaffi's fall as Libya's leader is a positive step towards peace and freedom in Libya in particular and Africa in general.Also, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa said: 'His death is expected. It validates the fact that power is transient. Whatever has a beginning has an end. This will be a signal to Syria's President Bashar Assad seeing that Gadaffi died dishonourably, it will make him think otherwise.'If he had surrendered, things would not have gotten this bad. He should not have allowed his town, Sirte, to be destroyed. He should have known that war requires the application of common sense. He should be blamed based on that ground.'And, the Edo State government yesterday promised to assist Nigerians who just returned from Libya to acquire entrepreneurial skills for self-employment in the agricultural sector of the state.Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Simon Imuekemhe, gave this indication yesterday when on behalf of the state government, he played host to the United Returnees Foundation (URF), returnees from Libya of Edo State extraction in Government House.The ARG added: 'As curtains finally draws on Gadaffi's tyrannical era; and, as Libyans begin to rebuild their country, ARG enjoins all those who have toiled and laboured in the actualisation of a new Libya to collectively work towards a transition process that will usher in not just a stable and democratic but also a freer Libya.'It noted that Gadaffi's 'disgraceful fall surely calls for sober reflections on the part of dictators, majority of those who still litter the African landscape, who never contemplate leaving the stage when quitting has honour.'It is a warning to those who delight in willfully turning good governance into an anathema and a lesson to all despotic rulers that no one is bigger than his country and that good governance transcends mere provision of food and shelter. Rather, it is about equity and equality. It is about participation and accountability.'Above all, it is clear signal to the fact that when people are driven away from the streets where democracy is free, they move into the cellars where revolutions are born.'The group added that it hopes 'our leaders would learn' from the Libyan event.Imuekemhe expressed sadness over the loss of lives ofsome Nigerian citizens who had travelled in search of greener pasture in foreign countries.He commended the president of the Foundation, Solomon Okoduwa, on their insistence of pursuing their rehabilitation legitimately and assured them of government's support in assisting them.He urged them to take advantage of the agricultural loan facilities made available by the state government through the Bank of Industry (BoI) and to also explore the job opportunities provided by the Youth Employment Scheme (YES).'We have observed that some of the returnees have cried out for survival but regrettably some of them have been blamed for the crime in the society based on our investigation. We want to through your foundation assist in the area of agriculture as requested by you and other skill acquisition ventures but you must put yourself into co-operative society before the government can assist with grant.'Okoduwa in his address solicited for soft agric loan from the state government, saying that such loans if approved would be used in the area of fishing farming, poultry, pineapple and pig rearing.
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