LEADERSHIP BY TUNMISE PAIMO

Leadership: the Nigerian case
The conceptual clarification of leadership can be emphasized and defined to mean a continuous or constant practice by individual occupying specific positions intended to benefit the personality and persons of intimate relationships. To have undergone the transition from the military rule to the civilian rule in Nigeria, it can be expanciated that leadership differs from an individual to another, this not to say that the position and duty ascribed to a leader have been maximized for the subject whom they represent. Leadership a major attribute to the development of a country ought not to be taken with levity but rather should spur positive actions to maintain and enhance development in the particular disposition.
Who is a leader?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a leader to mean a person who has commanding authority and influence. A leader is one ready to defend and fight the cause of his people. He/ She ought to be available for his people, he/she is a father, mother, brother, sister, friend and lover of all. One without this necessary attribute cannot be called a leader. A leader shows a good sense of responsibility, a good listener, a motivator, a patriot, humble, one who does not exercise fear but sees the positive side in every negative situation, s ready servant for all, defender of truth, knowledgeable and full of wisdom, disciplined, hardworking and uphold the very principles guiding his community or environment.
In Nigeria, who do we have as a leader? A leader as I understand the idea in Nigeria is selfish, corrupt, practices favoritism, not trustworthy, lazy, cannot stand for his people, not disciplined, not a good representative. To encapsulate the leading position in Nigeria, it can be said that leadership practices in Nigeria is the total opposite of the ideal leader in the ideal world which is an abstraction of reality. Leaders in the existential world serve to propagate their interests which at the same time ensure that their interests are not threatened.
Leadership position has been likened to be a position acquired to only fulfill the interest of the individuals occupying the post. It has been seen as a platform to project the actualization of a particular objective. The objective here is to garner more funds for themselves which renders the poor to remain poor and the rich maintaining the position of the rich and influential, marginalizing the poor and the weak from the affairs of the government.
Response to Leadership
Leadership is a call to serve and not a call to embezzle. Leaders need re-orientation on what it actually takes to be a driving force to reckon within political fora. Re-orientation will ensure that the aspirants know who a leader is, what the duties are, the sanctions melted out to erring leaders and the benefits of a respectable leader to its subjects. Leadership goes beyond the physical dispensation of justice but rather it involves the psychological as well as mental alertness in the position. One does not become a leader in a day; it is a continuous and steady growth in life which takes place until the final stage of having the full responsibility to lead a race, a group, and a denomination or probably a unit which might be referred to in the write up as the smallest group. Leaders are not determined by age or class but rather what he or she is ready and able to offer to better the people he is called to serve.
Are you of the notion that you cannot be a leader at your present level? Do you feel you are too young to take responsibility? Are you timid and confused on what you actually want for your people? Are you ready to take risk for your people? Do you feel that there can be a better life for your people if you take charge of situations? Do you think you have the will to lead? Are you even developing yourself to effect a change in your environment? Have you of good moral standard without a compromise? Are you looked up to in your neighborhood as a leader? Can you let go of your comfort to satisfy your people? A leader puts his life on the line to achieve the best for his people, Are you ready to die for the truth? Decide wisely. These are questions that need consideration.
My advice to the Nigerian youth, especially the young generation who must have taken their time to read this write up should encourage and train themselves, bracing themselves for the task ahead because we are the leaders of tomorrow. The question we should ask ourselves is, if you get to the place of authority, will you serve or evade the duty? If after answering the question, your answer is a yes, then congratulations because your work starts now. Instead of criticizing the leaders of today, we should stand up to the task ahead. Be ready to serve.