SCHOLARS STRESS ON BUILDING TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA
The progress, development and fortunes of any nation are tied to the strength and quality of the political leadership that it has.
This is because a true servant leadership applies the instrument of authority to the benefit of the down trodden and checks the excesses of powerful individuals to bring about a just and balanced society.
These were some of the submissions of speakers at a workshop organized by African Heritage Institution on “Building Transformative Leadership for Nigeria,” as they grumbled that for nearly 60 years after Independence, Nigeria was still struggling with issues of leadership.
The experts pointed out that leadership is one of the most important variables that determine the success or the failure of any organization, institution or nation.
In an address the guest speaker and executive Director, African Heritage center for Leadership, strategy and Development, Abuja, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, observe that the trouble with Nigeria was simply a failure of leadership rather than character.
He stated that concerted effort should be made to build a new crop of transformative leaders to bring about the desired change in the country.
However, a discussant at the event and lecturer at National College, Abuja, Professor Aja Akpuru Aja, argued that the failure or success of a nation depended more on the nature of its institutions than leadership.
Another Discussant and Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Stalla Okunna, noted that true leaders had no interest in themselves or positions but committed to influencing others positively.
She advocated severe punishment for leaders who set bad examples for the youth.
In an opening remark, the Executive Director of African Heritage Institution Enugu, Professor Ufo Okeke-Uzodike, recommended that appointed and elected leaders should undergo administrative training to acquire transformative leadership skills.
Two participants, Professor Eric Nwagu of faculty of Education University of Nigeria Nsukka and Dr. Gil Osakwe of self Help Development Facilitators Enugu, were happy that some people were thinking and working towards transforming leadership in Nigeria.
Notable individuals and opinion leaders from the public and private sectors as well as civil society organizations across the country attended the event.
OKECHUKWU EZEONA