The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, has lauded Prof. Paschal Okolie for being decorated with the Papal Honor of Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester (KSS) conferred on him by Pope Francis.
Onaga spoke at the Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Enugu during the Conferment and thanksgiving mass and reception to mark the event on Tuesday in Enugu.
The bishop stressed 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.
Earlier at the weekend in an inaugural lecture, Okolie, who is a Professor of Public Finance and Accounting, in the University of America, California, USA, has identified positive character and integrity as panacea for the failures of national development plans.
Okolie said that differences between developed and underdeveloped nations were mainly caused by men of questionable characters who found themselves at the corridor of power.
The lecturer said that men of questionable character used the opportunity given to them to lead to divert public treasury to their private purses.
Okolie, who is also a Visiting Professor at the Spiritan University Nneochi, Abia State, Nigeria, delivered his inaugural lecture based on the title: “National Development Plans and Public Finance Management: The Role of Leadership Integrity in National Development”.
He further said that organizations, no matter how grounded would be run down if the management is infested with men without integrity.
Okolie 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 wide spread poverty and infrastructure decay in Nigeria during the tenure of the former Head of State, Gen. 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,” he said.
In a remark, the guest of honour and Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Professor Polycarp Chigbu, commended the Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Okolie, for a well-researched and well-delivered lecture.
The lecture was attended by Dr and Mrs. Bethrand Odume; Chief 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 Prince, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Princess Shullam and the Registrar, Mrs Gracia Roemer.
