Personal leadership is at the epicentre of what makes great nations. We cannot wish for a better nation or community without personal responsibility. At your individual level, you are either investing or eliminating your life. Your life is invested, when you make thoughtful, wise and selfless decisions, for the betterment of your life and that of others. To know whether that is what you are doing, simply ask the question: if every Nigerian’s behaviour is very similar to mine, will Nigeria become a great nation over time? 

On the other hand, your life is being eliminated if your greed replaces need. The eliminated life puts self, inordinate ambitions, and a riotous lust for wealth and power, above every other index of wholistic self and general development. For a person like that, in no time, no one remembers them, no matter how long they hold sway to power. 

Based on my interactions with many well-meaning Nigerians, who supposedly wish well for this country, impatience and the need to be seen, celebrated and applauded, have robbed them of an impact that could last a lifetime. They do not know that greatness is not synonymous with wealth, power and fame. 

There are many good Nigerians, very unknow to the public, whose contributions in shaping lives, will in due course, give birth to the leader with conscience, the fear of God and a rare compassion for humanity. They are the teachers, lawyers, doctors, writers, thinkers, philosophers, architects, and other professionals, whose consistent concern is: what can I do to make one life better? Their lives are well invested!

Learn, unlearn and relearn. Nigeria’s leadership crisis is not with one person. It is with all of us. Your role is to ensure that each day, in every way possible, you are less of Nigeria’s problem. Hate laziness. Embrace hard work! Hate religious fanatism. Love people, irrespective of what they believe! Before you blame anyone for not doing well in a position of leadership, ask yourself: am I doing well in leading my own life? Is my life making a difference in my family? Am I a role model? 

Pokyes Kavwam

Abuja-Nigeria