A non-governmental organisation, Value Projects Initiative, has tasked leaders and Nigerians on the need for them to be time conscious always.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Chukwuma Okenwa, gave the task while speaking recently with newsmen in Enugu.

Okenwa spoke against the background of the current high level of embarrassing lack of punctuality to programmes and activities being witnessed in the country.

According to him, it is a well-known axiom that punctuality is the soul of every business or activity in life.

“The way and manner that Nigerians abuse time, including time schedule, is becoming highly embarrassing to everyone; and it is becoming a sources of worry to well-meaning Nigerians.

“You hardly attend a function where 8am is 8am or 12 noon is 12 noon. This negative orientation is making expatriate in the county not taking us serious.

“However, it is left for leaders to lead by ensuring that they keep to timing of minutes and other schedules.

“When leaders lead by example; the followers will naturally follow their leaders and do the right as they see the leaders do,” he said.

Okenwa, who mentors youths within the Enugu metropolis, noted that Nigerians especially youths crave to see leaders work or act out their talk and show exemplary leadership.

He said: “If we must get it right; those in authorities and respected individuals must live by positive examples.

“With exemplary leadership; the job of mentoring becomes easy since the youths will naturally follow their leaders and directly follow their foot-steps.”