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Friday Sermon: Leadership Conundrum Revisited 3

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By Babatunde Jose

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke

“A democratic society, an open society places an extraordinary responsibility on ordinary men and women because we are governed by what we think. We are governed by our opinions; so the content of our opinions, the quality of our opinions, and the quality of the formation of our opinions basically determines the character of our society. And that means that in a democracy and an open society, a thoughtless citizen of democracy is a delinquent citizen of democracy.” Leon Wieseltier.

It follows therefore that “People get the leaders they deserve”; the man who sells his vote for a pittance, the voter who sells his PVC and the supporter who accepts stomach-infrastructure to subvert the democratic process, the Okada riders who ride themselves to death in heralding the arrival of a corrupt politician to a rally, the women who receive 1000Naira Ankara fabric from politicians and those who accept customized packs of pop-corn from political office seekers are all in the same category with the corrupt and bad leadership. To all intents and purposes both the leaders and the followers are birds of the same feathers. They can never bring about a virile democracy. This unfortunately is the bane of our society.

Followers provide valuable supports to leaders.  They are supposed to listen, replicate, conform, query and legitimize the leader. Leadership and followership are closely intertwined. Effective followers can shape productive leadership behaviour just as effective leaders develop subordinates into good followers.  Without followers there are no leaders: It is a dyadic relationship. The  fundamental  idea  is  that  leaders influence  followers  and  vice  versa,  and that  the  whole sense of leadership do not only rely on power definition per  se  but  the  degree  of  which  people would  want  to follow. This includes followers’ reactions in each decision of the leader.  Dyadic relationship views leader-follower relations as very essential factors for national development. Leadership and followership is a major universal challenge to all nation states; while some countries have overcome the primitive or dictatorial stage to propel their economy and the social welfare of their people to a comfortable level; other emerging developing economies are still reeling to grow above the challenges of ‘impotent leadership and followership syndrome’.

Leadership and followership relationship should always be harmonized to enable the society achieve her vision and set goals. In this clime there is a need for leadership and followership to adopt a new paradigm. Consensus selection of leaders should be avoided; Leaders should be elected through democratic and transparent processes. Tribal sentiments should be set aside in electing and criticizing our leaders. Our target and criteria for assessment should be our vision and goal as a people.

Followership in Nigeria has not generated much debate. But there have been cases of resistance movements that have been spearheaded by followers; such as the Aba women tax riot of 1929, the Agbekoya farmers revolt 1968/69, Ali Must Go 1978, Babangida Must Go Protest 1989, June 12 Protests and recently the Occupy Nigeria Protest: A socio-political protest movement that began on Monday, 2 January 2012 in response to the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government of President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday, 1 January 2012. Total number of deaths: 16 (Lagos, Maiduguri, Ilorin and Gusau; All shot by the Nigeria Police Force). They involved civil disobedience, civil resistance, strike action, demonstration and Internet activism. These resistance cases are protest against poor governance and ineptitude of Nigerian Leaders.

Nigerian followers could be very loyal and supportive to leadership and have participated actively in the achievement of the nation’s goals. However, when a people are ravaged by poverty, they become docile and it weakens their ability to rise up to the challenges of checkmating the excesses of their leaders. This docility has a negative impact on Leader- follower relationship. Leaders that are checkmated by their followers will limit their excesses and realign themselves to public opinion. But in the midst of docility and sycophancy, leaders will be getting away with their dishonesties, corruptions, venalities and ineptitude. This exactly is what is happening today. The balance of power between leader and follower however, must be maintained in order to provide a culture of openness that promotes self-engagement.

Ever since the social contract between man and government, in which man surrendered some of his right to the centre called government, there was a social contract that as a result of the surrender of these rights, government should be able to use law to regulate the society and ensure the security and welfare of the people. Ever since independence, Nigeria has been facing leadership crises; wobbling from one regime to another. Leadership has not been able to deliver the needed dividend of our God given resources to her people nor provide satisfactory social welfare services nor social amenities; yet her followers have been very resilient. If followership is to be cultivated the morale of the people must be activated. There is need for leaders to be sensitive to the needs and opinion of followers. A docile followership contributes to the detriment of its welfare. People should stop seating on the fence believing that change to a new paradigm  will be actualized through miracle; change is created through human effort hence Nigerians should live up to their civic responsibilities in other to create a good and sustainable leadership and followership relationship.

Problem of Followership in Nigeria include poverty which prevents the people from playing their rightful roles in checkmating the excesses of the leaders. Ethnicity is another problem. Nigerians protects corrupt leaders without integrity and shield them from criticism and prosecution as a result of misplaced tribal loyalty.

Nigeria is a country that parades corruption as a value system; this can be attributed to lack of integrity on the part of her leadership. Corruption has ruined the economy of Nigeria and has led to lack trust for her leaders. If Nigeria is to develop and grow according to her potentials, her leadership must act with integrity at all times.

The Amalgamation of 1914 engendered various perceptions; some saw it as a mistake, while others saw it as a necessity for the administrative convenience of the colonial masters. However, Nigerians including her leaders pay more allegiance to their tribe than to the country. Even in time of elections people vote according to their tribal interest and when leaders emerge too, they reciprocate these tribal gestures. Though National interest should prevail over tribal or ethnic interest, unfortunately, Nigeria remains in fact, a ‘mere geographical expression’.

Nigerian followers are fund of not telling their leaders the truth, they praise them, tell them lies; sycophancy is the order of the day. Negativized tranquillity is a situation where followers remain adamant and aloof of the excesses of leadership activities. Nigerians are susceptible to use by some leaders to fan trouble: Hence, followers’ sometime ally with leaders to create trouble in the society. Powerlessness in influencing government decisions is a major problem of followers in Nigeria. Elections in Nigeria are highly manipulated and leaders do not come to power through the peoples vote, they manipulate election and election results to the extent that vote casted do not count. Since peoples votes do not count, their opinion too is undermined.

Sitting on the fence and watching the reckless abuse of office by leaders such as massive corruption and abuse of office would have reduced tremendously in Nigeria if followers have been bold enough to come out to criticize or challenge the excesses of their leaders.

The problem of leadership in this country does not lie in the hands of Alfas, Imams, pastors and General Overseers, mosques or the Church-camps where prayers and night vigils are conducted for the supposed wellbeing of this country. No! It lies in the hands of me and you, we the followers who stand aloof from the political fray and watch our country stolen from us by a band of kamikaze leaders who we inadvertently elected and to whom we stupidly surrendered our rights. Heaven, they say, helps only those who help themselves.

“Subhana rabbika rabbil ‘izzati amma yasifun wa salamun alal mursalin wal hamdulillahi rabbil ‘alamin” :”Glory to thy Lord the Lord, of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)! And Peace on the Messengers! And praise to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.” (Quran 37:180-182)

 

Barka Juma’at and happy weekend

 

 

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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FG Announces Nine Individuals, Six BDCs Financing Terrorism

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The Federal Government says it has uncovered the identity of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in terrorism financing.

Details of the development were revealed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, in an email seen by The Punch on Tuesday night, entitled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024.”

The document revealed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met on March 18, 2024, where specific individuals and entities were recommended for sanction following their involvement in terrorism financing.

“The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, has thereupon designated the following individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List,” the document read in part.

Among the individuals named in the document was a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

According to the document, Mamu “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments over the sum of $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”

The document said one of the individuals is “the suspected attacker of the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State on June 5, 2022 and the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja on July 5, 2022.”

Another was described as “a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, the group is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

 “The subject was trained and served under Muktar Belmokhtar, aka One Eyed Out, led Al-Murabtoun Katibat of AQIM in Algeria and Mali.”

The NFIU said the individual “specialises in designing terrorist clandestine communication code and he is also Improvised Explosive Device expert.

“The subject was also a gate keeper to ANSARU leader, Mohammed Usman aka Khalid Al-Bamawi. Equally, he was a courier and travel guide to AQIM Katibat in the desert of Algeria and Mali. He is into carpentry. Subject fled Kuje correctional centre on July 5, 2022. He is currently at large.”

Another was identified as “a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province Okene.”

The agency said, the individual “came into limelight in 2012 as North Central wing of Boko Haram.

“The group is suspected of the attacks carried out around Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone, including the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.”

Another was described as “a financial courier to ISWAP Okene. She is responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group.”

According to the document, another of the individuals “in 2015, transferred N60m to terrorism convicts.”

He was also said to have “received a sum of N189m  between 2016 and 2018.”

The same person is said to “own entities and business reported in the UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.”

Another individual was said to have “received a total of N57m from between 2014 and 2017.”

Another was said to have “had a total inflow of N61.4 bn and a total outflow of N51.7bn from his accounts.”

The document further revealed that, in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, institutions and individuals are required to:

“(a) immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities in your possession and report same to the Sanctions Committee;

“(b) report to the Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the prohibition requirements.

“(c) immediately file a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU for further analysis on the financial activities of such an individual or entity; and

“(d) report as a Suspicious Transactions Report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this List. ”

It said the “The freezing obligation required above shall extend to

“(a) all funds or other assets that are owned or controlled by the designated persons and entities, and not only those that are tied to a particular act, plot, or threat of terrorism or terrorism financing;

“(b) those funds or other assets that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated persons or entities;

“(c) the funds or other assets derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled directly or indirectly by designated persons or entities; and

“(d) funds or other assets of persons and entities acting on behalf of, or at the direction of designated persons or entities.”

The Punch

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