Servant-Leadership

Why Servant-Leadership Is Needed In Nigeria Now

President Umaru Yar’Adua’s deliberate choice to exemplify the servant-leader is one that could change Nigeria’s political class’ attitude to politics. Although it is yet to be made very clear how this is to be done, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Communications, quoted the President as saying this during an address to participants in the “Nigeria Meets The World” forum on Monday night in New York, United States.

President Yar’Adua was also quoted to have said that a total change must take place in the disposition of Nigerian politicians and political parties for the electoral reforms, initiated by his administration to succeed.

A release from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Communications adds, “Politics should be about seeking opportunities for service to the nation, not about opportunities for self-aggrandisement.

“That is what the concept of the servant leader is all about. We have a lot of work to do to change our concept of leadership.

“Political office and leadership are not necessarily synonymous because election to a political office should only provide an opportunity for someone to become a leader through worthy service to his people.

“We are reforming our electoral process to lay a solid foundation for political stability but there must be a complete change in the conduct of our politicians and political parties because their attitude will determine the success of the reforms.”