You're a courageous, phenomenal leader - Nollywood actor to Gov. Bello »

A prominent Nollywood star, Jim Iyke has described Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as a courageous and phenomenal leader who has demonstrated capacity for effective leadership.

The Nollywood superstar made the commendation while playing host to the Governor at his Abuja residence on Monday, February 8, 2021.

“We have always admired you from afar. Your charisma and extraordinary conviction to stand for the truth even alone has been exceptional.

“I could remember in your first term in office, some politicians from your state were always in the news alleging political rift with your excellency but it beats my imagination that you never appeared in the television responding to them. You have always handled crisis in such an elegant manner with wisdom, ” he said.

Mr Iyke, who bemoaned the level of insecurity and poverty in the country, called on leaders to up their games in addressing the menace.

The Nollywood veteran who also spoke about the battered image of Nigeria outside the country also suggested that every Nigerian should get involved in the rebranding of the country.

He said: “No matter how respected, intelligent and exposed you are; when Nigeria is discussed, you will have little to say. It is difficult to explain how a country with huge resources still can’t move her people out of poverty bracket”.

Though not a politician, Jim Iyke however urged the governor to continue to sensitise the youths to get involved in politics noting it’s no longer time for anybody to sit on the fence.

“It’s about time the bull must be pulled by the horns. This is not the time to play blame games. This is the time to take side and stand behind someone who has demonstrated courage and political will in the building of Nigeria generally.

“Our greatest disservice as youths of this country has been that we lack conviction, and to be here this morning, I am excited to be part of this vision and it is for good cause. I am sitting in front of a leader that has demonstrated capacity to unite the people of his state irrespective of their multi-ethnic and religious differences. it is a dawn of a new beginning,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Bello told his guest that the issues at hands today was the question of governance and how to provide the needed leadership for the country .

While commending the Nollywood actor for his exploits in his career, the governor stated that in fixing this country, the people must first look at each other as Nigerians and assured his guest of his commitment to sensitise the youths to get involved in policy and decisions making.

He noted that effective leadership does not squarely rest on the shoulders of the elders, adding that the youths are to provide the necessary energy to drive governance in the country.