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President Musa Yar’adua (PDP) Leadership Skills And The Journey So Far By Benjamin Ogbebulu
Mahatma Gandhi, of India, a renowned philosopher of our time was once quoted of saying “ The things that will destroy us are politics without principle, pleasure without conscience: Wealth without work ; Knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity and worship without sacrifice” . This quotation becomes apt when we consider the manner the present Government under President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua PDP government have been systematically and proactively dealing with fundamental issues that affects the polio-socio-economic issues of the country.
Two months after the inauguration of the present People’s Democratic government { PDP} , the largest party in Africa, Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora are beginning to see the difference in style of governance between Ex- President chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration and President Yar’Adua progressives style of administration whose political club of radical politicians and academia by nature is simple but not stupid. These attributes could be found in the likes of excellencies Professor Osunbor of Edo State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel Of Ogun State and Raji Fashola Of Lagos state.
Although it is too early to judge the newly PDP government under President Musa Yar’Adua , all indices so far indicates “ a new wave “ of doing things as the last two months of this administration have witnessed the effective handling of Labour Crisis, stoppage of illegal demolition of people’s building in the federal capital, Abuja to the extent the newly formed government have come out to apologised for their unlawful acts and Nigerians not only welcome this new development but salute president Musa Yar’Adua courage and his respect for rule of law. Also, since inception of this administration, Yar;Adua have order the released of the withheld Lagos state local government Funds, effectively addressed university of Ilorin academics crisis , reversed the sale of Kaduna and Port Harcourt Refineries but much concerted effort is still needed to address the Niger Delta Issues where recent reports shows the incessant killings of innocents people and crippling of businesses in the region. President Yar’Adua continuation of the anti-corruption war in a constitutionally way and the suspension of mass retrenchment in the public service by the Yar’Adua administration proactive manner of dealing with these issues are not only commendable but welcome by vast majority of Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora.
Nigerians and the international community are beginning to see President Yar’Adua as being genuine, sincere, respecter of rule of law , a listening leader, a ruthless thinker and proactive leader. As Nigerians waits anxiously to see improvements in their polio-socio-economic lives, the public –private partnership policy of the PDP government must have human face to address the fundamental issues of infrastructure, Transport, Housing, Health Care Delivery System, Local government, Energy , Agriculture, employment and above all security. His orientation in favour of radical nationalism and prudent management of resources would soon be seen as a national assets for the country and people. It is an acknowledged fact that the bane of Nigeria and indeed African problem have always been “ Leaders”. What is a leader?. “ A leader is a person who influences people to accomplish a purpose “. Such leader correctly assesses a situation and knows how to take the next steps. Helen Keller, a writer on leadership argued that the most pathetic person in the whole world is someone who has sight but has no vision. Leadership is the ability to turn a dream or vision of a desired future state into a reality with and through the cooperation of other people. To throw your life into something worthwhile , your dream must be worth dying for and Karl Max, one of the greatest philosopher of out time once said “ man makes history but not according to his own will “ and Katherine Kehler, a writer on nine principles for effective leadership argued that people should have a big vision , something beyond one’s capabilities to keep one challenged. She argued that if people have aimed their efforts for any moment only for themselves, for the accumulation of materials things, for pleasure- they will soon become dissatisfied and disillusioned with life. Former British Prime minister, Margaret Thatcher said “ There is little hope for democracy if the hearts of men and women cannot be touched by a call to something greater than themselves”.
Nigeria as a nation needs leaders that are God Fearing, passionate about leaving an eternal legacy of development, justice, political and economic development of her youths, downtrodden and women. Seventy –nine year old Muriel Tower, an experienced entrepreneur , said , “ You get things done through other people. Number one in business is to get the best person for the job. Number two , delegate, Number three, supervise- go back and see that they did it” . In order to be an effective leader you need a team to work with . You lead on the basis of your strengths . As the new minister have been transparently appointed by the senate whom most Nigerians commended for a job well done in line with the emerging character of the new administration of President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua / Senate president of David Mark, the 39 ministers are expected without delay to come up with new proactive innovations to assist president Yar’Adua PDP administration to move our yet to be great nation forward. Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora hope our respectable ministers will strive for excellence in actualising the seven point agenda of President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua administration in areas as security, Niger Delta, maintenance of infrastructure and human capacity building, the fight against corruption, and the rest which revolve round agriculture and the need to ensure food and nutrition security for all Nigerians . Nigeria as a nation is bless with human and natural resources, let our leaders discharge their duties with fear of God to reduce poverty in the land and we, the citizens realising we have only one country Nigeria, will encourage and support our government. The journey so far is illuminating but more still need to be done to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Benjamin Ogbebulu, BA HONS, MBICS, is a writer, political /social activist and advocator of good governance. A Nigerian native and British citizen. He was educated in Nigeria and UK.
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