Blindfolded Leadership in Nigeria
One thing that remains consistent among developed nations and the ones that have taken great priority in developing their systems is the importance of living conditions shown by their respective governments.
From Europe, Asia to the Middle East, investing in infrastructure and ensuring citizens live in humane conditions is considered paramount, an attribute yet to be seen in Nigeria.
Indeed, the average Nigerian will thrive if the government will empower him with the basic necessities of life.
In a chat with a medical expert when the COVID-19 erupted the norm, I asked her why she didn’t move to Canada for a better opportunity since the country expressed taking smart individuals from Nigeria. She expressed great interest in living in Nigeria.
Although not interested in leaving Nigeria, she expounded that if the working conditions are better she would appreciate. “It’s not a priority to leave the country. This might be an isolated case but something is certain, Nigerians are very proud and will thrive if government can provide necessary infrastructure to alleviate the pressure in this society”.
Now beckons the question, is it a deliberate action by our leaders not to improve the welfare of Nigerians with the little resources the nation is bequeathed with? I asked soliloquised, “Is this an educational problem or are we simply selfish and greedy as Nigerians?”
Would it be out of place to say, those in government are the reflection of the society?
While many could hold greed responsible, we should not undermine the authority of education.
Take for instance, we elect a governor who has zero knowledge of how cities work. He takes over power only to get perplexed on what to do or how to attract investment.
To live in a decent city is not rocket science. That is a well-known fact. Basic amenities must work. Roads, good healthcare, power supply, security and a very engaging ruling class are ingredients for a decent city with a quality leader.
Now, while mulling over this, I reminisced about speaking to a friend who was a strategy lead to the mayor of Johannesburg, he mentioned how they travelled to Washington DC to check on the development in the city.
“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it” Albert Einstein had said. Hence, is it possible we encourage our leaders to deploy experience from societies where governance works?
Truly, it is imperative to move this society ahead. If our governors don’t understand the importance of a beautiful city, investing in landscaping and structuring a working society may never be priority to them. They may never appreciate tourism, and a nation that does not explore tourism may never be competitive in improving infrastructure within.
Recommendations
Consequently, we should have more engagement with our leaders to seek education if they cannot provide the required leadership skills we need from them.
Our society should only seek for the basic things — good quality of life — from the government and we can all thrive. Hopefully one day, we may be able to pride ourselves, indeed, as the Giant of Africa.
‘However, without a genuine approach by a government to improve … ‘ the living conditions of its compatriots, and proper development may be far from us, and we will never move from the condescending rank of a third world society.
