In Nigeria: Time was; when leaders were measured by cerebral wit, knowledge and character; when rulers were leaders, when leaders were cautious and conscious; when rulership precipitated good radiance; when the process of becoming was sincere with integrity; when leaders were teachers of men!
Time is; when ‘leaders’ are measured by the Standard International (SI) Unit of thuggery, ballot box snatching and rigging, lethal weapons usage, violence creation and result falsification; when leaders have lowered integrity and canonise recklessness; when leaders have lost touch with conscience and humanity; when ‘Leaders’ have become ‘Damagers’ of common wealth; destroyers and robbers of peoples’ fortune and destiny; when the process of becoming has been mutilated and defaced by inglorious handlers.
Indeed, it is a sad development of despair that a people who should be rejoicing with goodies are rather gloating with unsavoury and sour pains of impoverishment and slavery.
Rulership can be described as a process of using legitimate authority of social influence to maximise the efforts of others towards positive goal achievement within a given area or territory.
In effect, rulership refers to the act, position, or authority of leadership, controlling, or management a group of people. It involves exercising power, making decisions, and implementing policies and laws for the well-being and order of the community, state or region under one’s charge.
It therefore means that the major element of authority is legitimacy or socially approved power which one person or a group exercises over the others and that means; in a democratic dispensation like ours, the will of the people remains the legitimacy of the rulership authority. And, this is the basis by which authority is distinguished from the more general concept of power.
Both, the Bible and the Quran records that humans are created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, leaders should portray the impressive attributes of God encapsulated in Love and Faithfulness.
Christian faithful, who are in leadership should exhibit the traits of God which borders around the six (6) virtues of leadership principles advocated by Apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy;- Righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, steadfastness, and gentleness (1 Tim 6:11b).
Even the Quran has summarized the leadership qualities expected of an Islamic faithful as follows; “And, We made them leaders, guiding by Our command; and We inspired them to do good works, and to observe the prayer, and to give out charity. They were devoted servants to Us” (Quran, 21:73).
Yet, the ‘monstrous leaders’ in our midst only seek to spread terror, hardship and tyranny among the people.
In Matthew 20:25-28, (NKJV); Jesus called the Rulers to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Therefore, Jesus Christ teaches that ‘Leaders’ should not be oppressors who seek ‘authority’ only to ultimately overpower and suffocate others, like the Gentiles practiced; instead, they should serve others, which Jesus demonstrated when He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).
Research has shown that good governance do not completely depend upon laws, but the personal attributes of those who rule because the apparatus of government is always subservient to the will of those who administer that apparatus.
The most important element of government is the leader or ruler and his attitude to leadership and administration, his quality, principles and belief.
Answering the question on the qualities of a good leader, an anonymous respondent summarized as follows; – “A good leader has a mass appeal.
He rises from the masses, thinks for them and works for them. He is sincere in his approach. He is a man of principles. Truth, honesty, patriotism, morality, spirit of service and sacrifice are the hallmarks of a good leader. He never mixes politics with religion or sect.
“He believes in working for the welfare of the State or nation and does not think in the narrow terms of class, caste or region. Corruption and nepotism are two evils that surround a leader in power. The life of a good leader is an open book. There is no difference between his words and actions.
“Such good leaders are very rare. What we find today are practical politicians, who think of achieving their end without bothering about the purity of means. The law of expediency gets the better of morality.”
A leader should have multidimensional traits in him which will make him or her appealing and effective in behaviour and approach.
Therefore, courageous, inspiring and good leadership can turn the tide for a people.
Interestingly, there are lists and records of leaders and rulers who will always be fondly remembered by history for their courage to live and practice within the confines and tenets of ideal democratic principles with human faces to the challenges of the soceity they met.
Leaders like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington of United States of America, changed the world for all times to come, Nelson Mandela; former president of South Africa and anti-apartheid activist, spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid activities and dedicating his life to guaranteeing civil rights for black South Africans who had long faced oppression at the hands of a white minority. John Magufuli of Tanzania, who left giant and impressive strides as legacy, Benjamin Netanyahu of Isreali, who built bridges with respect for the sanctity of human life.
Down home, I think Abdulsalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and some of our founding fathers of blessed memory could pass for their patriotism and sacrifices to humanity while in leadership service delivery.
On the contrast, some leaders like Genghis Khan, former Khagan of the Mongol Empire, Saddam Hussein of Iraq and many others who spread terror and tyranny will be remembered on the wrong and dirty side of history. For the devastating treatment on Israelites; Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar have themselves in this group. Hence, the need for sincere intervention.
Bright Okereke is the Managing Editor, News Echo Newspapers and News Insider Magazine and writes from Owerri.