“If anyone of you wants to be first, he must be the slave
of all, for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, he came to serve and
to give his life to redeem many people.” (Mark 10: 44-45)
Introduction
The political season is
here again and politicians are warming up and spending more on online, posters
and bill board advertisements to promote themselves and their manifestoes. If
you are frightened and running out of
breathe as we approach the electioneering period come 2015, do not fret or
entertain the fear of being crushed and defeated. Give yourself the assurance
that God is in total control and you are in His hands who knows and holds your
future and destiny. Remember that every moment of our lives is totally dependent on His
benevolence and providence. Let us stand united and work together as people of
hope, dreams and promise to shape our future. Our chaotic situation is the
reflection of ourselves. We must challenge the atmosphere of hopelessness,
hypocrisy, sycophancy and falsity that surrounds our governance. This is the
time for a collective action of innovative strategy to combat corruption,
tyrannical and oppressive structures that hold our people in bondage. We have
the power to shape the civilization that we want with strong will and
determination.
Electioneering period
Yes, the months are rolling
by and 2015 general election in Nigeria is fast approaching. It is a good time
to consider the concept of servant leadership which will benefit
us greatly as a people and nation. It is a serious business and not a matter to
treat so shabbily with a wave of hand because we are all players and
stakeholders in the task of nation building. The electioneering period is
usually characterized by acrimony, controversy, and debates by disappointed
antagonists and analysts which are vocal, divisive and bitter; there are
accusations and counter accusations by party defectors, irregularities of
different kinds, political thuggery, hooliganism, gangsterism, massive
lootings, assassination, abductions, kidnappings, political intimidation and
victimization, witchcraft, ritual murder and mysterious deaths, and high level
corruption. We must stop oppressing the people whom we are called to govern,
stop whipping up ethnic and religious sentiments and prejudice, and stop
playing on the fear and ignorance of our people. Watch out this season and do
not be part of this vicious cycle. We should rather cherish the ideal of a
democratic and free society in which persons will live together in peace,
harmony and with equal opportunities.
Attractive Public Offices
Unfortunately,
public offices in Nigeria have been made so attractive that desperate political
aspirants see it as a do or die affair. We see that virtually everyone
wants to be elected at the local government, state or national levels to occupy
a desired office. They go at any length, by hook and crook to do anything in
order to occupy these positions not with the right motive of selfless service
for nation building, but personal comfort and self-aggrandizement. Yet, our
land is confronted by the greatest odds – overwhelming ignorance, internal
tension and strife which are often destructive, artificial barrier between the
rich and poor and along ethnic and religious divide. In many place classrooms
are overcrowded and curricula outdated, teachers and workers are under paid, we
see starved on the streets, thousands slaughtered in violence, and wealth is
lavished heavily on armaments and security. Today we are so insistent on
venerating our political leaders who ought to be public servants. They live in
luxurious places, wear the finest clothes, drive the nicest cars, travel in
special jets, stay in exotic hotels, are surrounded by servants and special
aids and receive jumbo salaries. Yet the greatest of all leaders, Jesus Christ
came to the earth not to be served, but to serve others. He said: “If anyone of you wants to be first, he must be the slave
of all, for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, he came to serve and
to give his life to redeem many people.” (Mark 10: 44-45).
A time for Broken Promises
Another time for promises
by politicians is here again. Numerous promises are made every day, every week,
every month and every year. Unfortunately, though are not kept. They are broken
far too easily when things get tough or when minds are changed. God on the
other hand keeps all His promises. He is same yesterday, today and forever.
This is clearly echoed in (Hebrews 13:8). We all live under the umbrella of God’s
goodness and when circumstances and feelings tell us otherwise, we have to rely
on what we know – to see evidence of His goodness in all situations. When life
is pleasant, we find praising God easy because His kindness is abundantly
evident. However, we have difficulty recognizing pain and trouble as an
expression of His loving care. We need to trust the Holy Bible which tells us
that the Lord has stored up goodness for those who trust and obey Him. Our God
is a God of promise and fulfillment. So leaders after the heart of God
should also be people of promise and
fulfillment.
Trust as foundation of
leadership
From the dawn of history to
this day, the control of power has played a major role in the world. Our world
leaders are still very much in business consulting, dialoguing and negotiating
even after a difficult period of transition and evolution in the concept of
repressive, tyrannical and dictatorial leadership to our modern liberal and
democratic model. This shows that leadership is dynamic and Trust is the
foundation of leadership. A leader can build trust by consistently exemplifying
competence, connection and character. A leader must have the ability to
navigate the people through rough waters or else he is liable to sink. Nigeria
on the march looks for simply God fearing leaders, with strong will and
commitment for addressing the real concerns, interests, needs and aspirations
of the people.
Politician as a soldier and
servant
A politician is like a
soldier and servant. To be one you must be prepared to endure all kinds of
difficulties such as hunger, exposure to extreme weather conditions,
hostilities, sleepless nights, zero comfort, long distance from family and
loved ones and even be prepared to die on the battle field. The servant
politician should live like servant, as well as talk like one, and not
assert authority or live ostentatious lifestyle. Leading well is not all about
enriching ourselves but empowering others. We should realize that leadership
from a Christian
perspective is a matter of good and responsible stewardship.
Real life today to
common Nigerians
Life to common
Nigerians have become poor, miserable and rough. Everywhere you go in the
length and breadth of our land you see pervasive poverty, institutional
corruption, the vain superiority and supremacy of the ruling class leading to
monopoly of high key positions, thus giving rise to a clique of wealthy and
powerful rulers; you hear the cry of the oppressed deprived of justice; you see
the fear of oppression and domination by the majority tribe and religion
against the minorities; you also notice general cynicism regarding governance
as a result of the growing gap between the rulers and the ruled, the rich and
the poor, and lack of access to basic public services and social amenities. It would be fatal for our
nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.
Conclusion
At a time of turmoil for our
country, when party defection and factions are strong, our leaders desire to
unify the country should be more important than their personal comfort and
gains. Indeed, we are a
people full of promise, but have become a disappointment because of our misuse
of God’s natural endowments, unique gifts and blessings. All around us are
swindlers and fraudsters masquerading in different forms. The prevailing
atmosphere is unfortunately that of deceptiveness, fraudulent impressiveness
and the apparent false pretensions and counterfeit appearances. Corruption and
dishonesty, oppression and exploitation of the poor has continued to be part of
our everyday life. For decades now we have labored to entrench democracy. The
struggle and battle for justice is on, and we demand an end to poverty,
injustice, violence, terrorism and extreme religious fundamentalism. We
must stand united to speak out more and more powerfully against corruption, violence
and repression even if it will inevitably bring us under criticism and outright
persecution. Let us not give up fellow Nigerians but keep hope alive that
Nigeria will get better and better. Now is the time for action. The time to map
out a clear course of action for a secured political future for our people. Other forces may be at
work, but God’s power reigns supreme – His sovereignty rules over all (Psalm
103:19).
Rev Fr Michael Adefemi
Adegbola, Catholic Diocese of Kano Nigeria 2014.
