A former member of the Polish Parliament between 2010-2015 Dr. John Godson, has said for Nigeria to come out of its leadership quagmire, the electorate must change their orientation and make informed choices of who lead the country.
While taken a swipe at Nigerians over the leadership quality in the country, he said Nigerians deserve the kind of leaders they elected into power.
He stated this in an interview with the journalists at the sideline of National Leadership Conference, organised by the GOTNI Leadership Centre in Abuja at the weekend.
Godson explained: “It is said that we always have the leadership we deserve. During this last election, I had the opportunity of campaigning, going from market to market from street to street and I am of the opinion that we the people need to change because it turns out that many times we choose leaders who are able to give us tokens, and many times we do not give a premium to qualify people and passionate people, to leaders of integrity.
“So I think if anything is going to change, it has to start with the electorates. We need voter education, we need national reorientation and one of the things I have been doing and I want to see happen more is to show people that it is possible,” he said.
Speaking, director, Kenya School of Law, Prof. Patrick Lumumba said a good leader is one who is capable of delegating without abdicating his or her responsibilities, has said.
According to the renowned Kenyan Professor of Law, leaders must also be team players for them to realise set goals.
The renowned Kenyan Professor of Law spoke on the topic: “Ethical Leadership: Balancing Power and Responsibility”
“You must always remember that no matter how good you are, you must be part of the team. If the team is to succeed the chain is as strong as its weakest point.
“And sometimes the leadership is the weakest point because the leadership is nepotistic, myopic and all these may affect an individual who calls himself or herself a leader,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman, Gtext Holdings, Dr Stephen Akintayo said Africa is losing touch with the fundamental principle that parents are responsible for teaching leadership, hence that has become a big challenge.
Akintayo said politicians are not to be solely blamed for the poor leadership in Africa and Nigeria particularly, as they are a reflection of the society, noting that the outcome of the last general election in the county taught them shocking lessons.
He said: “Politicians are always a reflection of the society. Politicians will take the shape of what the society accepts. What has happened with the last election, if you notice, the condescending, arrogant way politicians talk is reducing because many of them were shocked by what happened in the last election.
“So the people are the ones who have the power. When the people sit up, when the people demand the best, they will always produce the right kind of leadership that represents, that reflects what they want.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the CEO, GOTNI Leadership Centre, Dr Linus Okorie said, institutions die and disappear while organisations go into oblivion because of leadership capital deficit within them.
“The question that I am asking this country at this time can we find budget for massive leadership development? Can we find institutions that will say to themselves, that if leadership matters, this is my budget for growing leaders at the highest level and if Nigeria can answer that question, then I can tell you there is progress at the door in a way that is unimaginable,” he said.
