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.
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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