YOU CAN LEAD THE CHANGE

I am very optimistic that the “New Nigeria Project-Dream” as we call it, is a reality. Don’t crucify me yet if you feel that the problematic leadership situation in the country would never allow the realization of such dream. The fact remains that a dream goes through processes which, in most cases, are quite unpleasant especially where the dreamer is not strong-willed enough to get to the end of the processes. But be that as it may, I am confident that what is happening in this nation is a phase in the processes, and we are getting over it soon.

My confidence stems from the fact that Nigeria still has some credible leaders who are willing to serve the nation selflessly. Such leaders have demonstrated over time that their character and fortitude are unadulterated and indisputable. The Minister of Communication and Information, Professor Dora Akunyili is a handy example. Starting with her tenure as the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) she has exhibited an unflinching spirit of patriotism and doggedness.

At NAFDAC, she escaped several assassination attempts but this has not deterred her from providing selfless and first-grade service to her nation. And her stance during the recent saga of the ailing president as it concerns the interest of the nation further buttresses her selfless approach to leadership. No doubt, her courageous intervention roused other members of the Federal Executive Council from their slumber. Today, the country is on the move again under the leadership of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

I must say here that leadership is about being able to tow a different path from others when it matters most. Indeed, it is not easy to take a stand that will bring about a positive change when you are surrounded by people who share a different view. Leadership is not just about being in power or enjoying the benefits attached to the position, it is a responsibility that comes with accountability.

This is why I insist that the dream is a reality because we only need few people like Akunyili to get to the critical number of people that can take this great country to where it deserves to be. If you can take a stand today against corruption and other social vices, whether in public service or private business then the change that we crave for is here. We don’t need too many people.

The panacea we need for change is simply that of promotion of the consciousness of the common good over the consciousness of self or personal gains. If I may ask, how many leaders in this generation are ready to give up their prejudices, personal comfort and self-indulgence just to serve their fathers’ land? Are there men who will risk their lives just for the good of the people of their nation without thinking about personal gain or glory? George Washington, the first American president provides a very good example of a leader who laid the foundation of greatness for his country through selfless service.

The 1^st United States Congress voted to pay Washington a salary of $25,000 a year - a large sum in 1789. Washington, already wealthy, declined the salary, to demonstrate that he valued his image as a selfless public servant. At the urging of Congress, however, he ultimately accepted the payment to avoid setting a precedent whereby the presidency would be perceived as limited only to independently wealthy individuals who could serve without any salary. Washington attended carefully to the pomp and ceremony of office. He made sure that the titles and trappings were suitably republican and never emulated European royal courts. To that end, he preferred the title of "Mr. President" to other more majestic names that were suggested.

Washington proved an able administrator. An excellent judge of talent and character, he held regular cabinet meetings to debate issues before making a final decision. In handling routine tasks, he was "systematic, orderly, energetic, and solicitous of the opinion of others but decisive, intent upon general goals and the consistency of particular actions with them.

Washington reluctantly served a second term as president. He refused to run for a third, establishing the customary policy of a maximum of two terms for a president which later became law in the 22^nd amendment to the American constitution. George Washington saw leadership as a responsibility to selflessly serve the public and not a permanent position to siphon public wealth.

Why is he officially honoured in his country as the “Father of the nation” and why is his October 2 birthday commemorated in his country as a national holiday and worldwide as the International day of non-violence? It is because he inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. I am talking about Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi of India. In a bid to ease poverty, expand women's rights, build religious and ethnic amity, and increase economic self-reliance and above all, achieve the independence of India from foreign domination; Gandhi spent a number of years in jail in both South Africa and India. He was a learned fellow who felt that the best thing he could do for his people and posterity was to stand for the truth and the freedom of his people. And denying himself of so much comfort just to achieve these was the best option.

He has inspired several leaders and social reformers by his selfless service in India, leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama etc drew inspiration from Gandhi. We are all aware of the impact the above leaders made/make in their respective countries just to bring about change that has inspired the world.

Imagine this post (online) on our ailing president which I came across some days ago. The exasperated commentator who is obviously a Nigerian wrote - “How does a country change when everybody is a thief and a liar? And I mean from top to bottom. Not one single person living in Nigeria keeps their word. There is no hope.” My take on this is that the comment lacks merit. I totally disagree with those statements, first because there is hope for this nation and because we still have God-fearing people who keep to their word, value integrity and see themselves as custodians of Nigeria. A custodian is considered as someone in whose care something important is entrusted for a specific time.

There is hope because no matter how appalling the state of affairs in the energy and power sector or other sectors of the economy may seem at the moment, it is all a phase in the processes to greatness. Let me also state here that the responsibility of bringing about the desired change does not solely rest on those occupying one leadership position or the other. And if each of us can resolve to uphold integrity as an integral part of principles that guide our daily lives, we are sure close to the change we desire.

As much as we look up to those in positions of authority to make a positive leadership impact, we also have the responsibility of championing positive change wherever we find ourselves. It was Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America who, in his inaugural speech said that “Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task".

And I put it this way - the panacea we need for change in this nation is within each of us. All we need is the recognition on the part of every Nigerian that we have duties not just to ourselves alone, but to our nation and the world - duties that we seize gladly when we see ourselves beyond mere citizens but custodians who are ready to do everything within our powers to ensure that this nation reaches the height it is destined to reach.

We can achieve so much when we put Nigeria’s interest first at all times, keep to our word – integrity. Do the right thing irrespective of who is doing the wrong thing and be a solution to a problem and not a problem to solutions. You too can make a difference no matter how little it may seem; it would go a long way. You can lead the change.

Lead D Change!

Favour Erebosi