THE GOVERNOR AS THE CHIEF SERVANT OF IMO STATE BY PROFESSOR JUDE EJIKE NJOKU FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI. FORMER COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION, & LANDS & SURVEY, IMO STATE. 1. INTRODUCTION May I start by thanking the organizers of this Summit for finding me worthy to be one of the Guest Speakers at this all-important Youth Summit. I congratulate them for the courage and thoughtfulness in organizing a Summit at this critical point in the evolution of our political development. I am probably the most qualified to present this paper given my professional background as an Agricultural Economist. I guess that the only qualification I have for being a resource person here is that I am friend and lover of youths, having been a Dean of Students over twenty years ago, and later being a Vice-Chancellor over ten years ago. In other words, I have been in the business of nurturing and developing youths for all my working life. I have in the process developed a lot of familiarity, love, affection and appreciation of youths and their concerns, that I almost think and act like one of you. The issue of governance and styles of governance has engaged the attention of most Nigerians in the last fourteen years since Nigeria entered its new political dispensation or what most people would regard as period of democratic governance. So much so is the concern for good governance and leadership that almost on a daily basis the press is awash with popular demand for good governance and good leadership particularly at the political level. Within the ambits of this seeming agitation, is the increasing clamour for positive change. Almost every time and every where, there is incessant call for change, both at state and federal levels. This presupposes that present situations are not satisfactory. There is still widespread poverty, hunger and manner of deprivation in the land. The youths are not left in this clamour of change. This is perhaps, part of the essence of this summit. We shall, therefore, in this presentation dwell briefly on the concept of Servant Leader, and proceed to assess the existing leadership lacuna in Imo State, an attempt to prescribe the true nature of servant leadership as well as the roles to be ascribed to the youths. 2.0 THE CONCEPT OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP. There is hardly anywhere in the body of leadership theory where the concept of servant leadership has been canvassed. Rather it is more of a usage that has come to be used in political circles to describe a leadership style in which a Governor, as the political leader of his state sees his primary responsibility and goal as that of rendering service to his people. In the Nigerian political environment, the current Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Aliyu Babangida, is the one mostly associated and identified with. He usually refers to himself as servant leader. I have not done any thorough assessment of his leadership style in order to confirm whether or not he has lived up to the precept of servant leadership. One thing I know is that he has appeared to be more controversial than most other Governors in the North Central political zone of Nigeria. Perhaps, the people of Niger State are in the best position to give a fair verdict on the level of his servant leadership. We can only specify here that the concept of ‘Servant Leadership’ connotes a leadership style where all the policies, and actions of the Governor are directed at selfless and committed service to his people. In this case, the Governor acts and works for the good, happiness and welfare of his people. He does not exploit his people and does nothing to usually enrich himself either directly or indirectly. But what is the existing state of affairs with respect to servant leadership. 3.0 SERVANT LEADERSHIP: THE EXISTING STATE OF AFFAIRS. There is still a lot of evidence of the existence of a military mentality in our style of governance everywhere. When political appointments are made over the television and radio, and such appointments are terminated the same way, it is clear evidence that the military-like style of leadership has not departed from our democratically elected political leaders. This is aberration of democratic principles and practice, particularly, when the beneficiaries of such appointments were not ab initio consulted. There are still several acts of impunity that are antithetical to the principles and practice of true democracy. In the first instance, all political parties in this country practice impunity in their choice of candidates for elective positions, particularly, for governorship elections. This is because primary and general elections are far from being free and fair in most cases. The result is the choice and election very unpopular candidates, who get into office and automatically become self-serving instead of servant of the people. The other aspect is the leadership style of those who get foisted on the people. Very often they easily get power-drunk and see themselves as demi-gods, who are all-knowing and begin to treat the rest of us as lesser beings who lack the intelligence to know what is good or bad for them. As a consequence, decisions are taken without adequate consultations with critical stakeholders. Of course, the institution of policies and programmes that do not meet the basic needs and aspirations of the people associated with this is the tendency to deceive and promise the people what are clearly not achievable. This is an exercise in toying with the intelligence of the people as if they cannot reason clearly. Those who serve the people are not expected to exhibit any elements of vindictiveness. Very glaring cases of this practice abound everywhere. The retrenchment of public servants without due process, the dissolution of Boards of Government Parastatals and non-payment of severance allowances as well as disobedience to court orders, all cases of impunity in governance to which we are all witnessing. Part of the rules of good governance is the adherence to due process in the conduct of government business. Due process ensures transparency and accountability in governance, as well as justice, fairness and equity. There are glaring cases downright departure from this process. One of the most burning desires of our youths is to be gainfully employed. Unemployment still looms large in our state and there is no clear vision of an end or amelioration to it. The most glaring evidence of clear departure from servant leadership is the lack of consultations with the critical stakeholders in the decision-process leading to choices that do not necessarily conform with the wishes and aspirations of our people. 4.0 THE TRUE NATURE OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP A true servant leader should be a man endowed with humility, honesty and selflessness as well as total commitment to the wishes and aspirations of his people. He must also be a man of compassion, modest, disciplined, peace-loving, friendly, respectful, tactful, sympathetic and visionary. He must also be a peace-maker and God fearing. Humility is a very great virtue. If God gives it to you, be grateful to Him, it is with humility that a leader can use power judiciously and arbitrarily. A humble man realizes that power is transient and is given and taken by God. With humility, a leader will treat his people with utmost respect and not see himself as a demi-god. A humble man takes good advice and makes himself accessible to his people, respect their views and treat them like human beings, realizing that we are all created equal by God. The only difference is the roles the same has been assigned to. With the combination of humility, honesty as selflessness, a leader should not engage in primitive acquisition of wealth and any attempts to deceive the people. He should promise what he can offer and not deceive them with promises that are impossible to fulfill. Selflessness also demands that the interests of the people supersede the individual leader’s interest. Such leaders are less likely to acquire wealth recklessly and in an insatiable manner. What is most important is to leave worthy legacies to leave lasting glorious memories in his people just as the world is today glorifying former South African President, Nelson Mandela for leading his people successfully in the liberation struggle against apartheid. Compassionate and respectful leaders do not rule with impunity. They are slow to anger and do not victimize. They feel for their people in taking any decisions. All decisions are made in the interest of public good. They also forgive sins committed against them, while having respect for both the old and the young, for constituted authority and for the rule of law. Disobedience to rule of law can lead to anarchy and distribution of public peace and tranquility. Servant leaders should also adhere to due process, all the time in the conduct of Government business. This ensures fairness, justice and equality to all. The notion behind this is that public funds and power are held in trust for the people by those who govern 5.0 CONCLUSION. The youths have a major role to play in the emergency of servant leaders. In the first instance, the Youths must ensure that the choice of governors, as leaders, is devoid of any imposition, and that electoral processes at all levels are free and fair. They must shun money politics and ensure that only people of integrity and proven track records of superior performance in previous assignments are elected into office. In this regard, I recommend support for technocrats and professionals who have excelled in their chosen careers and have the attributes of humility, honesty, selflessness and compliance with due process. Professionalism instills in one, the tendency to obey rules, regulations and the law, as well as following due process. Besides it makes one humble and reduces the appetite for excessive wealth. The youths must also prepare themselves for service in future. They must imbibe the right values and attitudes necessary for quality leadership. This they can do by participating actively in politics and undergoing the tutelage necessary for successful take-over from present leaders. They should aspire to be professionals or be gainfully employed in preparation for the future so that they are not lured into electoral malpractices by money bags. Finally, the youths must be active stakeholders in the governance of the state by contributing their ideas in decision-making using all available and legitimate channels of communication. It is our hope that in future true servant leaders will emerge as governors of Imo State and that one day one of you here will be that servant leader. Thank you for listening.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 15:31:30 +0000
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