LEADERSHIP: What is it?

Today’s topic is intended to draw attention of the youth themselves either leaders now or likely to be tomorrow to the qualities to look in selecting leaders for any position in society be it politics, football, social organization or club.

DEFINITION: A leader is“a first among equals”. This implies that generically, all men are born equal. Be it at the Davidson Nicol or at the wayside rescued by a passerby, the fact is that all men came “Naked”, without a single cent.

VICTORIAN VIEW: The Victorian age referred to a leader as “God’s anointed” who deserves to be honored by the ordinary man or men.

MODERN VIEW: A leader is a “servant”. One easily observes the gradual descent of importance of the leader from being an “equal but first” to “God’s chosen” personality and to finally a “servant”. It is true, the politicians themselves for want of nothing serious to tell their audience often say that they are the servants of the people. Are they honorable servant?

Any politician that claims to be the servant of the people and not their leader is at best, not being honest and should not be given “Power” because a servant has no power over his boss. Providing leadership in a state does not make one a servant but a good leader.

CHARACTERISTICS: Here we limit ourselves to political.

Firmness: He is firm in decision making ensuring that all are treated and given equal opportunities in all endeavors: education, employment, health, commerce and so on. He ensures that law breakers are punished accordingly without selective justice, no sacred cows.
Fairness: This is a virtue that emanates from a desire by the leader to rule according to the dictates of his creator. “Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Friendliness: Friendliness in political leadership refers to being approachable by giving audience to all and sundry. This should not be mistaken for a weakness as was the case of President J.S Momoh who was a friend of even children celebrating birthday parties.
Honesty: In the realm of politics, an honest leader is one whose personal interest should not interfere with the national interest. He does that which is acceptable to his people and refrains from doing that which is not.
Gentlemanliness: As the first gentle man, his actions should be weighed against the consequences to his subjects. The traditional definition of a gentleman, from Victorian England is that he hurts no one.
Fear of God: He is a product of God’s grace, the fear of the lord should guide his every step.
A pace setter: His actions should qualify for emulation, because he is first among the lot of his kith and kin.
Incorruptibility: But this depends on what may be referred to as “corruption”.