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LEADERSHIP AND SACRIFICE: WHAT NIGERIANS EXPECT FROM POLITICAL LEADERS.



Leadership and sacrifice, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ through His death on the Cross of Calvary, are virtues that are hard to find in the world. But these are crucial qualities that are urgently needed to make the society a better place for all to thrive and survive. As Nigerian Christians join others all over the world to celebrate Easter today, which incidentally coincides with the election period in the country, it is pertinent to wonder how much of these virtues the new leaders are ready to imbibe to impact positively on the Nigerian society. Are they capable of making the necessary sacrifices to unite the country, heal past wounds and thus foster peace? Will they provide exemplary leadership that craves only the welfare and wellbeing of the people? How much of these qualities is required to move the country forward? Some clerics that spoke to CHRIS IREKAMBA on the issue define what leadership demands.

‘Leadership Entails Making
Sacrifice For The Good Of Others’

(Most Rev. (Prof.) Adebayo Dada Akinde, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Bishop, Lagos Mainland)
Nigerians should thank God for allowing the elections to hold at this Lenten season, which calls for sober reflection on our lifestyle, values, faith and relationship with God. We need to remind ourselves that Jesus Christ the God-man, Who is equal to God but humbled Himself, came down to the world in human form and was subjected to all the vicissitudes of life including being tempted by the devil.

The good news and example that Jesus Christ set for us is that He was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights yet He didn’t sin. He thereby set for us examples of self-denial and mortification of the flesh, which can corrupt the believer’s life and tarnish his relationship with God. It all culminated in Good Friday, when Jesus Christ, the sinless God-man suffered the vilest of human wickedness and evil. He was falsely accused, falsely condemned to death and brutally nailed on the Cross.

Through Christ’s death and the shedding of His blood, He made the greatest sacrifice. This to me, is an example for every believer to emulate so that wherever the Lord puts you, you must be disposed towards making sacrifices for the good of others.
Our political leaders and players in particular need to learn from the sacrificial lifestyle of Jesus, our Saviour and Redeemer. In other words, when Christians find themselves in politics or God raises them to a position of authority, they must be prepared to make sacrifice at every level. 
They should be ready to make sacrifice for the generality of Nigerians. A situation where a greater percentage of the nation’s wealth is squandered in an attempt to service the presidency is wrong. It is equally wrong for members of the National Assembly to squander our God-given resources on themselves because we are always hearing of billions of naira being spent by them. 
It is ridiculous that in a country like Nigeria, where many are wallowing in abject poverty, our politicians are busy spending billions of naira on themselves. It is unchristian, immoral, every thing evil and they must be told, especially those who have just been elected. They are not to go to their offices to gratify themselves. Rather, they should serve the interests of the common man.

Thank God for the results of these elections. Nigerian politicians need to know that the people have the power to kick out any of them that fails to meet their yearnings.

Politicians and religious leaders should regard leadership at any level as an opportunity to serve and not to satisfy their excesses. May the good Lord wake our people to the appreciation of the noble example of Jesus Christ, which He demonstrated by giving His life for the sins of the world.



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