John C. Maxwell, a renowned leadership expert, posits that irresponsible leaders often exhibit a “me first” mentality, leveraging their positions for personal gain. He further elaborates that when leaders lead by example with the right actions, their followers tend to emulate them and achieve success. Today, it seems that the world is currently lacking in such exemplary leaders.
“The future of our democracy hinges on the actions and decisions of our political leaders as well as the citizens.”
As Nigeria steps out of the “hunger” and “end bad governance “ protests, this offers a moment to reflect on our journey as a young democracy, now 25 years in the making. While we have made significant strides, it’s crucial to address some pressing concerns that mar our progress as a country. The future of our democracy hinges on the actions and decisions of our political leaders as well as the citizens. As we continue to build a robust and thriving nation, we must confront and rectify the issues that are both unsightly and undesirable.
Leadership question
I couldn’t agree more with the notion that leadership without followership is an oxymoron. But it’s from the followers that leaders will emerge. Just as no army can triumph in conventional warfare without strategic leaders, no society can emerge victorious in the economic arena without visionary leadership. When it comes to nurturing good and responsible leaders, the probability is significantly higher in a society where the majority of citizens are well-educated and possess strong moral character. This underscores the adage that societies get the leaders they deserve. Consequently, the calibre of Nigerian leaders will mirror the extent to which Nigerians are educated and possess leadership qualities. Truth be told, Nigeria’s leadership crisis has been legendary over the years.
Read also: Irresponsible leadership is a major drawback to Africa’s progress
A shadow of Russian flags
The sight of young children waving Russian flags in the streets of Northern Nigeria during the recent protests is deeply troubling. The presence of these flags at the “hunger” and “end bad governance” demonstrations is nothing short of alarming. This unsettling event has sparked widespread outrage across the nation, raising serious concerns about potential foreign interference in the Sahel region and its encroachment into West Africa. It’s a situation that demands urgent attention and action.
Underage protesters and youths were captured on social media and television screens, running with Russian flags in hand. This alarming sight has prompted security agencies to take action against those brandishing these flags. I stand with countless Nigerians in condemning this irresponsible behaviour displayed by these young individuals. The flag-waving campaign is a stark reflection of the shifting dynamics in global affairs, and Nigeria must remain vigilant to avoid being drawn into such influences.
Out-of-school children
The majority of children sleeping on the streets in urban areas across the country are easily lured into carrying foreign flags for a small fee when the situation demands. The number of out-of-school children is alarmingly on the rise, now estimated to be around 20 million, with a significant portion hailing from the northern regions. We don’t need a prophet to foresee the dire consequences of leaving these young minds out of the educational system.
Graduates are left jobless, and confusion reigns across the land. Our failure to adequately engage, empower, and employ our youth has driven many into the arms of kidnappers and other organised crime syndicates. Insecurity is shackling Nigeria’s progress.
The nation’s population is on the rise, but what plans do we have for a country where population growth outpaces economic development? Many of our youth feel hopeless about their future here, having endured years of hardship and poverty. This disillusionment stems from poorly implemented government policies, and in some instances, the complete absence of any policies. Children who are neither in school nor in any factory at any point in time are likely not to be responsible.
Our children must be encouraged to go to school. In fact, education should be compulsory. Basic literacy is essential but it’s not sufficient for a nation that needs to build capacity in science, technology and innovation. Without basic literacy, Nigeria will not have the capacity to address its social and economic problems if it focuses only on basic literacy to the exclusion of secondary and tertiary education. Truth be told, we need to strengthen higher education along with technical and vocational education as they are essential for creating a globally competitive economy. It’s time to get these children back to school to prevent them from being used by enemies of the state.
FG-States’ relationship
In order to prevent hunger, the Federal Government (FG) has resorted to distributing palliatives to millions of people. Though not sustainable, this move has sparked a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations between the FG and state governments. In one instance, a minister accused a state governor of re-bagging 20 trucks of rice, originally distributed by the FG, and claiming them as his own. These palliatives were intended to alleviate the rising cost of living in various states, but the ensuing controversy has only added to the nation’s woes.
The minister announced that all states have received the relief packages, emphasising that the President’s efforts to eradicate hunger in the country are being undermined by certain governors and civil servants. A respected economist has accused civil servants of purchasing 50kg bags of rice at N40,000 and reselling them at N85,000, leading to the creation of a “parallel market”. Consequently, the Federal Government has suspended the sale of 50kg bags of rice to civil servants at the subsidised rate of N40,000 as we speak.
Unfortunately, Nigerian leaders are living in opulence, feigning ignorance of the harsh realities of the citizens to the extent that most state governors deny collecting any hardship grant claimed to have been given by the FG to all state governments.
Following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floatation of the Naira by the Federal Government, federal, state, and local governments have reportedly received significant sums in federal allocations. Despite this financial windfall, the quality of life for citizens remains largely unchanged, with more than 140 million people still enduring multidimensional poverty.
Responsible leadership and followership
We live in a society where the gap between the rich and the poor is alarmingly wide. For the impoverished, hope seems distant. Those elected to serve us have a monumental task ahead: bridging this societal divide. Transforming our states requires deliberate and concerted efforts from both state governors and the citizens of Nigeria. It is crucial for our state governors to demonstrate the ability to create, renew, and continuously increase the wealth of the people who elected them. The spread of poverty across all 36 states is expanding at an alarming rate, necessitating meaningful economic reforms throughout the nation.
All said, nearly 200 million Nigerians are grappling with a multitude of economic crises, including rampant inflation, widespread kidnapping, pervasive poverty, and soaring unemployment—all exacerbated by irresponsible leadership. To address these pressing issues, both leaders and citizens must undergo a profound change of heart. The nation’s current predicament underscores a crucial truth: responsible citizens inevitably breed responsible leaders. Thank you.
