Leadership is not about titles, it’s about one life influencing another. . "The best leaders are humble enough to realize their victories depend upon their people." John C. Maxwell.
One of the most fundamental problems facing Nigeria today is corruption and lack of good leadership. Corruption has not only weakened the moral fiber of Nigeria, it has also weak its body politics. Corruption in Nigeria is so devastating and alarming that it has virtually affected every sector of the economy. Consequently, it is obvious that corruption has been a major problem of socio-economic and political development in Nigeria. Political corruption in Nigeria encompasses the use of official and government resources by the political office holder for private gain. Indeed like a saying, political corruption could be said to be the “head” and other forms of corruption are the “body” cut of the head; the other parts could cease to grow.
Political Leadership can be refers to the ruling class that bears the responsibility of managing the affairs and resources of a political entity by setting and influencing policy priorities affecting the electorate, through different decision-making structures and institutions created for the orderly development of the people and territory. It could also be described as the human element that operates within the system of government on behalf of electorate. This includes people who hold positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, coup d'état, appointment, electoral fraud, conquest, right of inheritance or other means.
Corruption: This may-be defined as the fair of tomorrow and our moral upbringing (Dabo Daniel). Political corruption usually encompasses abuses by government officials such as embezzlement, as well as act of taking bribery, extortion and fraud, to mention but a few. In this regard, corruption threatens good governance, sustainable development, democratic process, and fair business practices.
Accurately, it can be asserted that, it is the duty and responsibility of every good government to create their environment and set the tone for good and effective policies, including conducive business environment, protection of life and properties etc. in any society or country. The Nigeria government has been blamed mostly, for not setting a conducive environment, economic and social development over the years, particularly at this time, when public security and safety has steadily become a major issue for citizens and corporate investors alike. Corruption additionally, has become a hot topic among citizens and investors, due to depressed economy and others things affecting the country. What a monster Mr. corruption.
This has been the situation in Nigerian since her independence. The political leaders, in their quest to secure or retain power, suppress opposition, and have access to unlimited funds for personal use, have sacrificed positive leadership on the altar of corruption. Indeed, from the first generation of political leadership through the successive military and civilian generation of political leaders, Nigerian political leadership had grown continually in corrupt practices. Political corruption has become a continue phenomenon that pervades the Nigerian state unrestrained. Over the years, we have seen the development of a vast system of institutionalized political corruption most times emanating from the very top and pervading all governmental institutions which influence the entire society.
Corruption is the major problem of Nigeria’s socio-economic development; today in Nigeria there is a consensus among well-meaning individuals and foreign nations that corruption has inevitably become a major clog in the quest for sustainable growth and development in Nigeria. It is further agreed that it must be halted before it shut down the country like a deadly virus; it attacks the vital structures and systems of the economic which now engender progressive functioning of the society. Like most developing countries, Nigeria is still grappling with the dilemma of corruption that has largely retarded social development, undermined economic growth, discouraged foreign investments and reduced the resources available for infrastructural development, public service, and poverty reduction programme, corruption can be said to be the single most important factor responsible for the failure of governance and lack of sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria.
There is also a common belief that poverty is one of the major causes of corruption. It is argued that there exists a great deal of poverty among Nigerians in almost every segment of their social life. In Nigeria today, it is just a few families that can boast of three square meals a day, wear good clothes, or enjoy the basic necessities of life, such as water, good road network and electricity.
Without doubt, the unpardonable failure of the political leadership managing the affairs and
wealth of the country had inevitably brought severe misery to many voiceless and helpless Nigerians. It must also be mentioned here that Nigeria’s post-independence political and military elites had terribly weak the nation with impunity, thereby denying Nigerians access to economic prosperity and quality living condition. Also disheartening, is the political leadership and corruption in Nigeria thus far, it is evident that the problem with Nigeria is not just corruption but leadership failure. Corruption has attained an unimaginable height and is currently assuming a pandemic proportion in Nigeria through, and with the full support of the political leaders since 1960. The fact remains that there have never been really golden age of great leadership in the history of Nigeria. The lack of competent, responsible leaders with integrity, vision, high moral values has been the bane of the country. It is simply disheartening that Nigeria, a country blessed with natural resources and manpower is now doomed with uncertainty where abject poverty, high unemployment rate, unresolved assassinations, looting and squandering of public funds, etc., all as a consequence of corruption, have become the order of the day. No doubt, corrupt practices among the political leaders have also resulted in undermining the growth and stability of the nation’s trading and financial system. Corruption has also damaged economic development and reforms and if adequate care is not taken, it can hinder the growth of democratic institutions.
The trouble with Nigeria is simply the failure of Leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with Nigeria land, climate, water and air or anything else; the Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility or to challenge of personal examples, which are hallmarks of true leadership.
Finally, Nigeria simply has been lacking in one thing or others like other nation, big or small, needs to achieve greatness credible, responsible and people-oriented leadership. After decades of failed attempts to produce credible leaders, it is imperative now for the political leaders to turn a new leave by rejecting old habits of corruption which has hitherto hindered Nigeria from becoming a modern, great, and developed nation. This is not in any way to undermine the need for strong institutions. Nevertheless, no country can develop strong institutions without the benefits of good leadership, leaders who will create the conditions necessary for building and sustaining strong institutions. A positive change in the attitudes of the Nigerian leaders is all that is needed to end corruption in Nigeria and for the nation and its people to experience sustainable socio-economic development.
Nigeria’s main development problem is political corruption which needs to be eradicated.
We need Nelson Mandela of Nigeria.
Dabo, Coordinator (Youth Leadershi Initiative) writes from Akure. He can be reached on twitter @IAMDANIELDABO
Dabo
