"True leadership lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well" —Bill Owens
"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership"—Nelson Mandela
Leadership means different things to different people around the world, and different things in different situations. For example, it could relate to community leadership, religious leadership, political leadership, and leadership of campaigning groups, also it can be related to the act of leading a group of people, or an organization, or the ability to do this. However, leadership or leading cannot be completed without followers. Majority of our youth see leading as a very easy activity especially when viewed from a distance and when one hasn't engaged with it before, and when they are engaged in discussion relating to leadership in Nigeria.
However, according to Vince Lombardi, 'leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal'.
For the purpose of this writeup, which is not about throwing weight behind the ill manner the country is being led by our despotic political leaders over the years but about the need to understand the concept and elements of leadership, in which hasn't been the orientation of the average Nigerian youth.
This should be able to put our "acclaimed" leaders of today (not tomorrow) in the fore light of what to do, how to do it, steps or processes of doing it, to achieve that common goal in becoming the leader of today, but how many of our youths today are ready to take the fore front? Yet they complain about any misdeed of political leaders, and when such comes, you see them at the back. Why not contest when you know you can do it?
Even if some of us step up to contest some political positions in the country, instead of our fellow to support the contestant, they would rather agitate and vote for his opponent, with excuses such as 'the young man hasn't got enough experience to lead unlike the his opponent'. Now, when and where will he get the experience if he hasn't be given the chance to lead? This is a poser waiting for an answer. Although, it will be wise to know the campaign policies and purposes of these youths vying for political offices, as the least maybe.
I was once a class Governor, otherwise called Head of Class (HOC) in some higher institutions, so I fully understand the plight of our leaders and what they pass through, even though I believe that a leader is a chief servant and you're either appointed or elected to contribute your quota, but as the situation maybe in some areas, as far as am able to understand that some of these class leaders perform well, while other perform below expectation due to inability to understand what leadership really means and the inability to carry their members along in everything (not all) they lay hands on.
As, a result inability to understand what leadership really means are parts of mentality, the Nigerian youths face and what could lead to this? The inability to read books on various subjects, especially on leadership, failure to attend self-growing and motivating events, and even participate in leadership and political discussions. That is why I believe the quote by the foremost philosopher, Vince Lombard,who says 'leaders aren't born, they are made.....'
Another ilk of mentality battling us is what religion has really caused in most of the youths, where it is being sensed that going for political positions in whatever quarter, is against the doctrine of such religion, and by this, it would even create another belief in the mindset of such fellow. And yet, we follow dogmatically, without thinking about it.
On the other side, some youths nowadays believe in having material things , probably because for some reasons best known to them, while to some, they have the mindset of embezzling funds if they get an opportunity to lead, while some in this case, always enumerate examples of our past leaders having turned the state to what it is now, so they also need to do so, when they have such chance. But my own take here for them, is that, good name is better than riches, it is not about having wealth that makes one a good leader but the ability to manipulate, control and put things under effective control, and that will make your name to be remembered and recognized anywhere you go, even after ones demise. But what name will it gives you, to be listed among those who empty the treasury dry when in power?
Take for instance, when French President, Emmanuel Macron, was inaugurated as the new president, there were victory songs from the average Nigerian youth, hoping that the time for youth leadership has finally come to settled in Nigeria. Sometimes, I laugh over this expensive 'joke' because how many of us are ready to take the bull by the horn, even in our small environment, be it in the societies, where we have youth organizations or in schools, where there is presence of Union Government, sometime for some one to rise up to take position of leadership always need prayers and fasting, why should it be so?
Whereas, Macron did not just stood up one day to contest and won the election, as president, but he had started his political careers for a long time. Please permit me to share some of his political careers here; he was once the President of En Marche! (a political association) in 2016, Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs in 2014, Deputy Secretary General to the Office of the French President in 2012. Macron, at the age of 39, became the youngest President in the history of France. Upon his inauguration, Macron appointed Le Havre mayor Édouard Philippe to be Prime Minister, with these, I hope someone would be geared up with this short political experience of Macron?
Whereas, another ilk of mentality battling us is what religion has really caused in most of the youths, where it is being sensed that going for political positions in whatever quarter, is against the doctrine of such religion, and by this, it would even create another belief in the mindset of such fellow. And yet, we follow dogmatically.
We really need to tighten up our belts and follow the dynamic example of Macron, if we really believe that we are leaders of today, in order to kick out the old men and women in positions of leadership in Nigeria. Once, the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said the youth shouldn't wish them dead, because they would still need them. In this case, he (Obasanjo) sensed that the time for Nigerian youths to take up the position of leadership is gradually near.
Samson Uwala, is a student of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, a young journalist and youth advocate. He believes in youth leadership
"True leadership lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well" —Bill Owens
"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership"—Nelson Mandela
Leadership means different things to different people around the world, and different things in different situations. For example, it could relate to community leadership, religious leadership, political leadership, and leadership of campaigning groups, also it can be related to the act of leading a group of people, or an organization, or the ability to do this. However, leadership or leading cannot be completed without followers. Majority of our youth see leading as a very easy activity especially when viewed from a distance and when one hasn't engaged with it before, and when they are engaged in discussion relating to leadership in Nigeria.
However, according to Vince Lombardi, 'leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal'.
For the purpose of this writeup, which is not about throwing weight behind the ill manner the country is being led by our despotic political leaders over the years but about the need to understand the concept and elements of leadership, in which hasn't been the orientation of the average Nigerian youth.
This should be able to put our "acclaimed" leaders of today (not tomorrow) in the fore light of what to do, how to do it, steps or processes of doing it, to achieve that common goal in becoming the leader of today, but how many of our youths today are ready to take the fore front? Yet they complain about any misdeed of political leaders, and when such comes, you see them at the back. Why not contest when you know you can do it?
Even if some of us step up to contest some political positions in the country, instead of our fellow to support the contestant, they would rather agitate and vote for his opponent, with excuses such as 'the young man hasn't got enough experience to lead unlike the his opponent'. Now, when and where will he get the experience if he hasn't be given the chance to lead? This is a poser waiting for an answer. Although, it will be wise to know the campaign policies and purposes of these youths vying for political offices, as the least maybe.
I was once a class Governor, otherwise called Head of Class (HOC) in some higher institutions, so I fully understand the plight of our leaders and what they pass through, even though I believe that a leader is a chief servant and you're either appointed or elected to contribute your quota, but as the situation maybe in some areas, as far as am able to understand that some of these class leaders perform well, while other perform below expectation due to inability to understand what leadership really means and the inability to carry their members along in everything (not all) they lay hands on.
As, a result inability to understand what leadership really means are parts of mentality, the Nigerian youths face and what could lead to this? The inability to read books on various subjects, especially on leadership, failure to attend self-growing and motivating events, and even participate in leadership and political discussions. That is why I believe the quote by the foremost philosopher, Vince Lombard,who says 'leaders aren't born, they are made.....'
Another ilk of mentality battling us is what religion has really caused in most of the youths, where it is being sensed that going for political positions in whatever quarter, is against the doctrine of such religion, and by this, it would even create another belief in the mindset of such fellow. And yet, we follow dogmatically, without thinking about it.
On the other side, some youths nowadays believe in having material things , probably because for some reasons best known to them, while to some, they have the mindset of embezzling funds if they get an opportunity to lead, while some in this case, always enumerate examples of our past leaders having turned the state to what it is now, so they also need to do so, when they have such chance. But my own take here for them, is that, good name is better than riches, it is not about having wealth that makes one a good leader but the ability to manipulate, control and put things under effective control, and that will make your name to be remembered and recognized anywhere you go, even after ones demise. But what name will it gives you, to be listed among those who empty the treasury dry when in power?
Take for instance, when French President, Emmanuel Macron, was inaugurated as the new president, there were victory songs from the average Nigerian youth, hoping that the time for youth leadership has finally come to settled in Nigeria. Sometimes, I laugh over this expensive 'joke' because how many of us are ready to take the bull by the horn, even in our small environment, be it in the societies, where we have youth organizations or in schools, where there is presence of Union Government, sometime for some one to rise up to take position of leadership always need prayers and fasting, why should it be so?
Whereas, Macron did not just stood up one day to contest and won the election, as president, but he had started his political careers for a long time. Please permit me to share some of his political careers here; he was once the President of En Marche! (a political association) in 2016, Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs in 2014, Deputy Secretary General to the Office of the French President in 2012. Macron, at the age of 39, became the youngest President in the history of France. Upon his inauguration, Macron appointed Le Havre mayor Édouard Philippe to be Prime Minister, with these, I hope someone would be geared up with this short political experience of Macron?
Whereas, another ilk of mentality battling us is what religion has really caused in most of the youths, where it is being sensed that going for political positions in whatever quarter, is against the doctrine of such religion, and by this, it would even create another belief in the mindset of such fellow. And yet, we follow dogmatically.
We really need to tighten up our belts and follow the dynamic example of Macron, if we really believe that we are leaders of today, in order to kick out the old men and women in positions of leadership in Nigeria. Once, the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said the youth shouldn't wish them dead, because they would still need them. In this case, he (Obasanjo) sensed that the time for Nigerian youths to take up the position of leadership is gradually near.
Samson Uwala, is a student of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, a young journalist and youth advocate. He believes in youth leadership
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