By Segun Akintoye
Leadership may be defined as ‘the management of men and resources towards achieving a collective goal.’ With this in mind, whatever definition of leadership anyone may deem fit, should do more than identifying leaders, but more to indicate the means by which they acquire their positions. It should also account for the maintenance and continuance of leadership in types and functions.
Candidly speaking, there’s no subject more deserving of attention at this time of our history than that of leadership in Nigeria. It is generally believed that Nigeria had many times been referred to as “Paradise on Earth.” Yes, blessed with good climate, environment, and natural resources. What then has impeded the country’s progress since independence? Why do we find it difficult to establish excellence all these while?
The country has experienced three groups of people in the terrain of leadership. Those who achieve greatness. Those who have greatness thrust upon them. And those who contrive leadership, I mean those who appropriate greatness either through rigged ballot or through the smoking bullet.
In scanning through the pages of history for guidance, the First Republic came into existence after independence in 1960. It failed because there was no consensus on the fundamental objectives and policies, as well as fundamental human rights; Nigerians were least ready to accept leadership from outside their own ethnic groups; and most of the people who aspired to power were guided by self interest. These same reasons led to the fall of the Second Republic.
No doubt, we have had cause to witness what leadership really entails during the pre-colonial era. The only thing lacking then was for our leaders to get followership that cut across the country, or being allowed by various circumstances to be leaders. The likes of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the then Prime Minister; Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Western Region; Sir Ahmadu Bello of the Northern Region; and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe of the Eastern Region. They were good example of leadership. They knew how to handle their listeners and direct them to good ends. Some people may term them as regionalists and tribalists. Whatever it may be that anybody had against these great leaders, the fact remains that these leaders went round the country, spruced people up and worked against British Colonialism. Hence, the country’s independence in 1960. They were there before independence, and they were there after. But when they were put into the background since 1966 by our post-colonial rulers, what we have had was a country that never moved forward. The result is yearning for good leadership now.
I could remember the words of a newspaper columnist in USA in the mid nineties who said and I quote: “I wish a perfect candidate were running… There is no such being, there never is. We must make do.” What a hopeless deduction! Yes, the elements of situation around him then must have informed his outburst. The management of men and resources towards achieving a collective goal’s principle had been compromised.
So it is today in Nigeria. The question now is: ‘Does the fact that many past and present leaders’ inability to satisfy the needs of citizens proof that we cannot have good leaders to manage the affairs of this country? The answer is NO! If only we can chose not to toe the path of the Biblical Essau.
The ability to see what others do not see, listen when others talk, and being optimistic with a clear vision for accomplishment, are incontrovertible values of a leader, who is also able to see a need and meet it with purposeful action from a will. How do I mean? Cassius Clay popularly known as Mohammed Ali of blessed memory had a good opinion of what a leader who wants to be champion should be, when he said: “Champions aren’t made in gyms. But are made from something they have deep inside of them. A desire, and a vision. They have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the WILL. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” So it must be for a person who desires to be a good leader. Little wonder they say: “Fortune favours the prepared mind.”
The yearning of every citizen is for a government to be responsive to their requests and demands. It is also duty-bound for a reasonable government on its part to meet the requests and demands through explicit and implicit values of proper administrative policy.
This is where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, The Jagaban of Africa comes in. The nation today is faced with challenges that seem insurmountable and have greatly affected good living standard of the citizens. We no doubt need a leader who can harness the abundant resources of our dear country in order to bring us a reasonable measure of peace and better living conditions. Tinubu popularly being referred to as: ‘Emi lo kan.’ is capable of imparting commendable living conditions to Nigerians.
We are galloping into another election season come February 2023, where we are expected to elect leaders with qualities for accomplishments. The track records of those that are contesting are here with us. They are not aliens, nor do they fall from the sky. They can be scrutinized.
We made mistakes in the past, choosing leaders that aren’t credible enough, and in the last two Presidential elections. 2023 is now an opportunity for us to right the many wrongs we’ve made. We must opt for leaders who will not only deal with people of logic, but manage creatures of emotions as well. It doesn’t matter how bad and hopeless the situation is now. The future holds more. Therefore, let us all join hands to choose a president who will not create enough for greed, but for human need. No doubt, Tinubu would make you feel important with his genuineness and humility. Remember, ‘storms make oaks take deeper root.’ Don’t let us make do with the availables where we can have the preferred. The words of Galileo that says: “I do not feel obliged that the same God Who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended for us to forgo their use,” should spur us into action. Therefore, let us vote good governance, let us vote excellence. Let us vote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is capable of steering the ship of the most populous nation in Africa, called Nigeria to a glorious harbour.
Every citizen of Nigeria has a stake in the survival and prosperity of the nation. Our collective votes for excellence will bring about good governance that will create an enabling environment to actualize the vast potentials which nature and Providence had endowed us with. Because in a climate of peace, security, justice, and equity can the creative energy of the citizens be optimally employed in positive pursuits that can benefit the society at large.
However, if Tinubu wants to win, something must be done. Let him listen to what the spirit is saying to the congregation. through the Lord has the ANSWER.
The wealth of the democratic dispensation before us is another opportunity which must not be squandered. So that our people can be made to walk tall with bounce in their gaits, dreams in their eyes, smiles on their faces, and hope in their beings.
The ball is in our court!
- Prophet Segun Akintoye, of Divine C&S Church Oke- lrapada, Akure, Ondo State, writes from Akure.
Email:-segunakintoye2011@gmail.com
