Nigeria once produced a leader who served this country without first thinking about his personal gains. He was generally known to numerous Nigerians for this. Late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (1951-2010) was born into a prominent political family. He was (to me) simply a model of a servant leader. Though nature did not allow him to live on and complete his term in office as Nigeria’s president, due to ill health, his exit led to the emergence of the term “Doctrine of Necessity” in Nigerian politics.
This piece is not an attempt to eulogize him, but it was very well known, while he was alive, that he was an epitome of humility and a true nationalist, who worked and discharged his official assignments and national duties without tribal and religious discrimination. His political career revealed much about his personality, especially being known for transparency (especially when he declared his assets), a born selfless leader, known for fiscal prudence, and was poised to improve education and healthcare in the country.
The late president’s blueprint contained in his 7-points campaign agenda focused on power infrastructure, food security, Niger Delta amnesty, and electrical reform, and they formed his key policy framework for national development.
The terms ‘selfless leadership’ and ‘servant leader’ have similarities in common, although logical ideology will definitely separate both in contrast. Both ideologies will offer all patriotically, but ‘price in leadership’ pulls more weight in favour of selfless leadership. This is because it could be argued that it is willingly, intentionally, and voluntarily rendered for the good of the sovereign state, without asking for anything in return. Servant leadership in its own merit, leads by example, with every humility the task or assignment demands. This scenario would not necessarily be a totally free will condition if the legally binding clauses are there for the prosecution of patriotic assignments. A classical example is the case of hierarchical command in the military service, where the order is, “obey the last command”!
In this connection, therefore, paying a price in leadership (voluntarily) demands extra sacrifice and at the same time, yields more benefits for the subjects within any delineated constituency. This obviously amounts to the right or desired democratic dividends for the public, which is expected of a selfless leader (in good governance ratings). Nigerian politics today is regarded as a “cash cow” by some politicians, which makes them want to grab power by all means and thus turning it into a “do or die” affair, instead of seeing it as an avenue or opportunity to serve mankind through leadership. Such a desperate mindset, where a politician aspires to win an election by hook or by crook, should not be encouraged for any reason. The younger generations should receive the right orientation about leadership through training (both in their academics and through organised workshops and seminars).
It is true that there are people who think that reversing the current trend of desperate politicking and political manipulations through rigging of elections in Nigeria is not possible. But it will surely happen someday because, as the saying goes, “no condition is permanent”. Born leaders, who are ready to serve selflessly are everywhere in this country called Nigeria. And it is certain that a time is coming in this country when real future leaders shall rise and boldly say no to fraudulent practices in serving the public.
They shall stand on the path of integrity, and enable selfless service to take center stage in our body politics.
To Nigeria’s current leaders handling national assignments at all levels, and their respective arms in governance (Legislature, Judiciary, and the Executive), is a call urging them to be leaders that truly discharge their various duties and official assignments without thinking of “self” first! This mentality and moral mindset are honestly the only nugget that can change the narrative of the current status quo, where most thought values primarily focus on personal benefits rather than the state’s core values that rub off on the entire citizenry. The state cannot make visible progress in terms of socioeconomic growth and national development if those occupying positions of authority do not apply and practice selfless leadership themselves. This is the true life scenario where the saying that “there is price in leadership” holds sway. This narrative in governance and its attendant paradigm shift is what our leaders should gun for. We sincerely need and desire to have a changed country, where things are working for everyone.
“Leadership is not about size, it’s an attitude”. This valid hard fact defines public officers, who are known to be true leaders by their individual performance ratings in their respective stewardship to the public.
This is manifested in the obvious recognition they receive from the governed in society. The likes of the patriots who fought for independence, such as the Awos, the Azikiwes, the Balewas, are very much within the country, and they shall manifest one day and put paid to the current rascality going on amongst politicians in the land. It is therefore very important to state very clearly that those who serve the land patriotically shall have their names cast in gold, based on the legacy they shall leave behind.
They will manifest this through their incontrovertible attitudes; and they shall not be assessed by their size nor the amount of wealth they control because, character is the thing, and greed and other unbecoming attitudes are jettisoned.
