Every attempt to highlight the qualities of a good leader would need the analysis of the sociocultural circumstances that gave rise to the necessity of governance. This will ultimately play a pivotal role in making us understand what it means to be a competent leader. The central notion to the continuous decline and negative postures of “Nigeria” lies in our inability to groom competent leaders. Nigeria has quoted in the context should not be seen as a separate entity distinct from her subject. In fact, for every Nigerian who does not repose any form of confidence in the country, will get a Nigeria in which the citizen hates his citizenship.
Within a society, the need for the clarification of individual responsibilities is underlined by the drive towards the developmental co-existence of the inhabitants. In a situation whereby, those saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring the peaceful organization of society refuse to adhere to the laws or fail to lead according to their pre-selection or pre-election promises, what should be expected of those they are governing? The governed tend to be at the receiving end of the fracas. Thus, an old adage says, “When two big elephants fight, the grass suffers the consequences”. An individual or group of individuals either selected or elected to be in charge of the activities of a particular organization should understand that, their representation of the organization will be the image carried around by the general population of the organization which subsequently will determine the kind of perception to be given to the organization by non-members.
Taking it from the top, Nigeria constantly witnesses the form of leadership in which pretentious attitudes of the the Presidents and the Vice Presidents over the years have been nothing short of disgrace upon embarrassment. I would have loved to make references to the military era but, my natural instincts do not advocate any form of military discuss. During the immediate past national executive leadership, the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo openly criticized his vice, Atiku Abubakar, claiming Atiku’s disloyalty. The debate orchestrated during the tenure elongation propaganda. The public who they claimed to have elected them into their various offices was at the receiving end of the backlashes resulting from their power tussling and insults linging drama.
The above exemplification is a little digression because the motive behind this write-up is our immediate environment: The University of Ibadan.
Within the university environment, there are political tussles. The aftermath of students’ political processes in various faculties, departments, halls of residence and others most often heads towards what could be termed “Fight for supremacies” among the members that constitute the executives of the various associations. They do not see the opportunity given to them as a means of grooming themselves for future opportunities that will effect the necessary changes needed within our larger society. Within the University, misunderstandings, power drunk and self-centered attitudes of some of those we claim to be students’ leaders are now not novelty. Executive members fight over the award of contract for packages, organization of events as well as imposition of ideas, opinions and portfolios.
My immediate concerns are not limited to students who are members of the various associations but also, the future of our generation. As it is always said, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The effects of the executive scuttle thus lies in: late collection of students’ packages; non-implementation of various projects which might have been paid for by the students, as well as improper representation of the students by their leaders. All of these could still be seen as minimal but what about the long term effects? Our current leaders at various organizations will claim to be politically ambitious beyond the shores of the university set-up and subsequently aspire to hold public positions in the nearest future. What should be expected of their political ideologies then?
It is important for all candidates aspiring to hold political offices whether at the Faculty, Department or Hall of residence to understand ideologies and motivating factors that would guide them so as not to be caught in the web of material inclination and the seduction of power.
