On Leadership in Nigeria
By Femi
On the kind of leader Naija needs, for a positive leader we can get one of 2 options in my own opinion...
Type 1 positive leader
Someone who plays within the framework of the system we have right now yet initiates those activities and policies that will act as catalyst for long term growth.Uncle Sege fits very well this bill so far. He has had to rub backs and use Ghana-must-go bags to remain in power no doubt, but in lots of ways he has initiated practices and policies that have irrevocably changed the face of the country and others which need future positive leaders to take to the next level. I no this point can lead to controversy but we can't deny that in his term, things which developed countries have as basic and not special have only come to Naija for the first time e.g. mobile comm, ATMs, debt cancellation etc. I'll not harp too much on his achievements here cos that's not the purpose of this (and to assuage any doubts, I'm not an OBJ man I just think he deserves a little credit)
In 2007, we have the option of getting a leader like that who will add those little incrmentals that would lead to bigger changer. This person will not cause a radical leapfrog in lots of areas cos he/she will have to work within the mindset that currently pervades our polity while taken steps towards correcting them.
Type 2 positive leader
Has clear idea of the Naija he/she wants and goes all out in making the big changes happen NOW breaking thru any resistance that will come up either thru force or SUPERDIPLOMACY. Will take the positive policies of the present government forward by 4 levels. Will be a SOLID change manager and would be able to work across all the ethnic and tribal issues facing Naija with clear transparency. Will actualise take the country some more steps in being de-tribalised through promoting initiatives and laws that further blur the barriers between the 6 geo-political zones. Will also transcend party politics using the party as only a machinery for getting into power but will focus more on inidividual capability. Will....NO BE GOD!!!
The only danger is whether this person will survive impeachment or assasination but I think if he/she is great, we can actually have a situation for once, where ordinary citizens demonstrate on the street in favour of THEIR PRESIDENT!!! Wouldn't that be a grand sight!!!
Where do we get these kind of leaders???
These kind of peole could be gotten either amongst GENUINELY REFORMED LOOTERS who according to present polls stand the best chance of becoming president come 2007 or amongst the many great brains Naija has at home and abroad who combine the content of their cranium with great personality and who possibly can get financial backing from perhaps the self same looters as OBJ got from IBB in 1998. T
To get a positive leader also needs proper ballot education amongst our people so that people understand the implications of their actions and inactions again hopng that the rigging factor is minimised as best possible (May be too much to ask for)
We also need to convince the positive Nigerians to get involved in the political process. Lot's of them are chased off by fear of being "Williamised" or "Daramolaed" as well as the fear of compromising their values and priciples cos as we know typical Nigerian politicians have now values or principles besides "Winning no matter what it takes". I guess the emergence of people like Pat Utomi and Fola Adeola in the political realm is a step in the right direction (all things being equal)
These are my own thoughts and opinions...SUBJECTI
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