Do You Trust Your Government? : Leadership in Nigeria.
Government is a body vested with the supreme power of the affairs of a state. It is also an institution that is given the instrument of sanction in order to convey obedience and ensure peaceful co-existence in the society.
Government is the body with the power to make and enforce laws to control a country, land area or people.
In a Democratic system, the electorates vote in their leaders. For an individual to put in his vote for a particular candidate he must have been duly influenced by the agenda of the potential incoming government.
As the government comes into power, it gradually implements its proposed agenda, year in year out, till it completes its tenure. Even if it wasn't a hundred percent it should at least be to a visibly commendable level. That's a government that wins the trust of its people.
Leadership in Nigeria
An average person on a Nigerian street will find it difficult to say he/she trusts the government, considering the recent happenings in the country especially as we're gradually approaching the period of the general elections. It is a time to access the works and achievements for three and half years of the present administration.
The score sheets are marked with red ink and failures.
Honestly, Nigeria is suffering from self triggered povery, brought upon the people by continuous leaderships which never had the interest of the Nigerian people at heart.
Millions of Nigerians live daily on less than $2 a day. Approximately a large sum of 88million Nigerians which is 45% of the population live in extreme poverty.
Government in, out, several administrations, but the nation's economy is regressing rather than progressing. The problems that Nigerians encounter get worse day after day. Some of what they thought were serious problems some ten years ago are better compared to the presents conditions. While some other challenges are as old as history.
Simply put the government has been asleep. The government has failed its people. It has long lost the people's trust and confidence in it.
Usually the basic functions of a government, its responsibilities include
1. Provision of clean (pipe borne) water
2. Construction of good roads
3. Supply of constant electricity
4. Provision of adequate and strong security.
5. Provision of sound Education.
6. Beneficial economic policies; among many others.
However, a close look at these sectors, even a mere glance can tell a lot of sad tales.
Today in Nigeria, whoever is planning to build a house must also be thinking of how to sink a borehole or dig a well. Many of our roads should not be termed as roads as they are now popularly called death traps. Especially in areas that experience high rainfall. It has caused the loss of many lives. The situation of Electricity supply in nigeria is not any better. Electricity supply is erratic. Some Local government areas have been in perpetual darkness for many months and even some, a few years. Except for those who can afford to buy fuel into their power generating sets(generators). The people are far from secure. Many people lose their lives in insurgents' attacks. People are dispossessed of their possessions without hope of ever recovering them. The poor state of the Education can't be overemphasized. From the inadequacy of infrastructure and essential learning materials, to inadequate staff to the late payment of small salaries with no incentives for teachers, where do we start to complain? Even in the health sector, our leaders can't make use of national hospitals. They fly to other countries at the slightest discomfort. All over the country much of what is seen is decaying infrastructure. All thanks to the corrupt leadership in Nigeria. Corruption is the act of impairing(corrupting, weakening, affecting negatively) integrity, virtue and moral principle.
The leaders lust after power, embezzle public funds and collect bribes. Their are so many cases of embezzlement by past and present leaders that have not been properly investigated and addressed.
A video revealing a Nigerian governor receiving bribe went viral recently. However all processes to ascertain the validity of this video and to know further steps to take have been halted. Our leaders seem not to be under the laws set by the constitution any longer. They commit various grave atrocities and get away with them. They campaign and contest to come into government with so much promises cooked up for the occasion. As soon as they assume power, they dump their scripts and begin to act as they wish. They are hardly bothered about the electorates (the people who voted them in). Almost a half percentage of the nation's population(about 45%) live under $2 a day. Yet a governor thinks it right to say that a Private Jet for a governor is not a luxury but a necessity. A great number of people have to beg on the streets to eat a poor meal, their only meal for the day. Several homeless people live in terrible conditions under bridges. The civil servants are paid their meager salaries late and find it hard to send their children to school.
Many people will wonder if our leaders have any human feelings (conscience), if they think about anyone but themselves.
The money, mansions, cars and jets that won't follow them to their graves. Its a shame, a pity.
They have failed in securing lives and properties, many youths are jobless. They would rather use the money to secure their political positions.
Not only has the leadership neglected the people, it is making it hard for a different breed a fresher breed of politicians to contest and win. Nigeria should be practising a multi party system but critically examining the current situation, it's not unsafe to say that practically speaking, the country might be practising a two party system. There are two major parties dominating the political scene. The contest/battle between both seem to more pronounced now that elections are approaching. There is a persevering use of propaganda. Both parties keep pointing accusing fingers at each other for involvement in bribery and corruption during the parties primaries(primary elections). It is now like the case of a kettle calling the pot black when neither is fair.
If leadership is corrupt and followers are not, there's still hope. However with corrupt followers too, chances of redemption are slim. Organisation leaders now follow the footsteps of their leaders with the policy of "Promotion is who you know and not what you know". Some others employ the use of tribalism, nepotism and exploitation of innocent people.
The present administration has blamed the regressive condition of the nature on the activities of past administrations.
However true leadership is the capacity to harness human and material resources for the progress of the people. Great leaders possess the quality of resourcefulness which is using little to achieve much. Effective leaders are not inspired by what is gone(what was lost) but what remains(what they have left).
This is one quality that many of our leaders lack, that they don't dream to have. The people of Akwa Ibom won't forget chief Godswill Obot Akpabio in such a hurry. He has been widely recognised severally for his great achievements as the governor of the state. He was awarded the Best governor award about six times, the most prolific governor, the governor of the year and man of the year severally.
It is our earnest prayer that someday soon enough, our leaders will recognise the importance of carrying out their responsibilities and exhibiting good leadership qualities.
Government is a body vested with the supreme power of the affairs of a state. It is also an institution that is given the instrument of sanction in order to convey obedience and ensure peaceful co-existence in the society.
Government is the body with the power to make and enforce laws to control a country, land area or people.
In a Democratic system, the electorates vote in their leaders. For an individual to put in his vote for a particular candidate he must have been duly influenced by the agenda of the potential incoming government.
As the government comes into power, it gradually implements its proposed agenda, year in year out, till it completes its tenure. Even if it wasn't a hundred percent it should at least be to a visibly commendable level. That's a government that wins the trust of its people.
Leadership in Nigeria
An average person on a Nigerian street will find it difficult to say he/she trusts the government, considering the recent happenings in the country especially as we're gradually approaching the period of the general elections. It is a time to access the works and achievements for three and half years of the present administration.
The score sheets are marked with red ink and failures.
Honestly, Nigeria is suffering from self triggered povery, brought upon the people by continuous leaderships which never had the interest of the Nigerian people at heart.
Millions of Nigerians live daily on less than $2 a day. Approximately a large sum of 88million Nigerians which is 45% of the population live in extreme poverty.
Government in, out, several administrations, but the nation's economy is regressing rather than progressing. The problems that Nigerians encounter get worse day after day. Some of what they thought were serious problems some ten years ago are better compared to the presents conditions. While some other challenges are as old as history.
Simply put the government has been asleep. The government has failed its people. It has long lost the people's trust and confidence in it.
Usually the basic functions of a government, its responsibilities include
1. Provision of clean (pipe borne) water
2. Construction of good roads
3. Supply of constant electricity
4. Provision of adequate and strong security.
5. Provision of sound Education.
6. Beneficial economic policies; among many others.
However, a close look at these sectors, even a mere glance can tell a lot of sad tales.
Today in Nigeria, whoever is planning to build a house must also be thinking of how to sink a borehole or dig a well. Many of our roads should not be termed as roads as they are now popularly called death traps. Especially in areas that experience high rainfall. It has caused the loss of many lives. The situation of Electricity supply in nigeria is not any better. Electricity supply is erratic. Some Local government areas have been in perpetual darkness for many months and even some, a few years. Except for those who can afford to buy fuel into their power generating sets(generators). The people are far from secure. Many people lose their lives in insurgents' attacks. People are dispossessed of their possessions without hope of ever recovering them. The poor state of the Education can't be overemphasized. From the inadequacy of infrastructure and essential learning materials, to inadequate staff to the late payment of small salaries with no incentives for teachers, where do we start to complain? Even in the health sector, our leaders can't make use of national hospitals. They fly to other countries at the slightest discomfort. All over the country much of what is seen is decaying infrastructure. All thanks to the corrupt leadership in Nigeria. Corruption is the act of impairing(corrupting, weakening, affecting negatively) integrity, virtue and moral principle.
The leaders lust after power, embezzle public funds and collect bribes. Their are so many cases of embezzlement by past and present leaders that have not been properly investigated and addressed.
A video revealing a Nigerian governor receiving bribe went viral recently. However all processes to ascertain the validity of this video and to know further steps to take have been halted. Our leaders seem not to be under the laws set by the constitution any longer. They commit various grave atrocities and get away with them. They campaign and contest to come into government with so much promises cooked up for the occasion. As soon as they assume power, they dump their scripts and begin to act as they wish. They are hardly bothered about the electorates (the people who voted them in). Almost a half percentage of the nation's population(about 45%) live under $2 a day. Yet a governor thinks it right to say that a Private Jet for a governor is not a luxury but a necessity. A great number of people have to beg on the streets to eat a poor meal, their only meal for the day. Several homeless people live in terrible conditions under bridges. The civil servants are paid their meager salaries late and find it hard to send their children to school.
Many people will wonder if our leaders have any human feelings (conscience), if they think about anyone but themselves.
The money, mansions, cars and jets that won't follow them to their graves. Its a shame, a pity.
They have failed in securing lives and properties, many youths are jobless. They would rather use the money to secure their political positions.
Not only has the leadership neglected the people, it is making it hard for a different breed a fresher breed of politicians to contest and win. Nigeria should be practising a multi party system but critically examining the current situation, it's not unsafe to say that practically speaking, the country might be practising a two party system. There are two major parties dominating the political scene. The contest/battle between both seem to more pronounced now that elections are approaching. There is a persevering use of propaganda. Both parties keep pointing accusing fingers at each other for involvement in bribery and corruption during the parties primaries(primary elections). It is now like the case of a kettle calling the pot black when neither is fair.
If leadership is corrupt and followers are not, there's still hope. However with corrupt followers too, chances of redemption are slim. Organisation leaders now follow the footsteps of their leaders with the policy of "Promotion is who you know and not what you know". Some others employ the use of tribalism, nepotism and exploitation of innocent people.
The present administration has blamed the regressive condition of the nature on the activities of past administrations.
However true leadership is the capacity to harness human and material resources for the progress of the people. Great leaders possess the quality of resourcefulness which is using little to achieve much. Effective leaders are not inspired by what is gone(what was lost) but what remains(what they have left).
This is one quality that many of our leaders lack, that they don't dream to have. The people of Akwa Ibom won't forget chief Godswill Obot Akpabio in such a hurry. He has been widely recognised severally for his great achievements as the governor of the state. He was awarded the Best governor award about six times, the most prolific governor, the governor of the year and man of the year severally.
It is our earnest prayer that someday soon enough, our leaders will recognise the importance of carrying out their responsibilities and exhibiting good leadership qualities.
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