We can continue to debate the matter of leadership as Nigeria’s formost problem, which is of course, the gosepl truth. Everything rises and falls on leadership says that popular quote by John C. Maxwell. So, it would not be out of place if we blame every woes in Nigeria on leadership.

However, there is something many of us have not quite come to terms with yet. Nigeria is not totally bereft of leaders. Come to think of it, with  the number of people that make up Nigeria’s population, and the level of exposure many Nigerians have had; we can not rule out the possibility of finding someone, out of a population of about 190,000,000; to take this nation to the promised land.

What Nigeria truly lacks are transformational leaders. There are two important things (Out of many other things as well), that makes transformational leaders. They are: consistency and credibility. And when you examine the lives of those we call our political leaders today in Nigeria, you will discover that many of them lack these qualities. Examine great transformational leaders in the history of the World, you will not look too far in their lives and legacies before you discover these two key elements.

Let us examine the life and times of Jesus, one of the greatest transformational leaders that have graced the surface of the earth. In the book of Acts 1:1, Luke documented something important about the life of Jesus Christ. It says:

“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach..”

The above bible passage tells us how Jesus lived His life as a leader. He was consistent in what He does, and He was able to also communicate or teach, as well, what He was doing. If you ask me, that is both consistency and credibility in action. There are many leaders today who would say something like “Do as i say, and not as I do.” When you see leaders like this, it tells you that they lack consistency and credibility. That is, their actions and their words are not consistent with the lifestyle they portray.

That is exactly the state leadership is in Nigeria today, being led by people who would say one thing, and do another thing entirely. Nigerian politicians would promise the people heaven and earth when they are campaigning, and then when they assume power, they will begin to do a different thing entirely. This is where the problem lies.

Transformational leaders live and stand by their words, promises and actions. They don’t say a thing and do something different from what they have said. When they make promises, they make sure they fulfill it. Consistency in words and actions as a leader leads to the development of trust and reduces people’s uncertainty. Credibility requires that one do what one says will do. The current crops of Nigerian politicians, many of them lacks this credibility. Transformational leaders, by their credible and consistent actions; builds trust, and propel the people and nation or organization forward.

As 2019 general elections approaches, our task as a people is to elect in various political offices, consistent and credible leaders. Let us look at the anticidents of these people who are vieing for various offices and then vote for them. We should not use emotions to vote, the way many of us did in 2015, which has led us to the present state we are as a nation. Nigerians should ‘shine their eyes’, and elect transformational leaders.

Thank you for the gift of your time.

Source: Fridayposts.Com

Thanks for the gift of your time, Obayomi Abiola Benjamin!
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