TRANSFORMING NIGERIA:
The Role of the Servant Leader
(Key Note Speech delivered by C. A. Candide-Johnson Esq., S.A.N., FCI Arb. at LEAP AFRICA Leadership Awards 10th November 2005)

It is a great privilege to speak here today, and to be associated with the remarkable undertaking of LEAP AFRICA. I recognise that this privilege carries a humbling responsibility and yet I must thank the trustees of LEAP AFRICA sincerely not only for this privilege, but for the outstanding example of leadership which they are supplying to a nation that is suffering an epic leadership famine.

It is not for lack of human or material resources but for committed and exemplary leadership that Nigeria has denied the hope of its people for forty-five years. God has blessed us with a huge abundance of human and natural resources, yet poverty, ignorance and disease is the inheritance of most Nigerians. It was only while reflecting and researching for the few remarks that I am now making, that I began to appreciate the compelling truth of words scrawled on an Isale Eko backstreet: “No saint for Nigeria! All our leaders na barawo”.

The British arranged the country called Nigeria solely in their own national economic interest and they devised a system of administration to which Nigerian leadership was largely irrelevant. The colonization of Africa had come with little regard for local education, health, or infrastructure, and was tainted with racism and contempt.  When it became necessary to surrender the territory and its administration, it was British interest in its continued exploitation that was paramount and not the building of a nation. In a 1961 lecture to Nigerian students in London, Chief Obafemi Awolowo identified the opportunity that colonial disengagement provided to Nigerians:

”influence which a nation exerts, the respect which it enjoys, and the prestige accorded to it on the world scene, depend on two important factors: the size of its wealth and the calibre of its leadership. Granting an incorruptible, courageous, public-spirited, enlightened and dynamic leadership, the wealth of a nation is the fountain of its strength. The bigger the wealth, and the more equitable its distribution among the factors and agencies which have helped to produce it, the greater the outflow of the nation's influence and power”.

“Looking at the developmentally backward, money-driven and power-crazed politics of the majority of so-called northern leaders today (especially its military wing), it is clear how much disservice was done to Nigeria by the act of murder of the Sardauna by the coupists of January 1966 …………  Unlike many of today's crooks mistakenly called northern leaders, this great visionary and Caliphate prince, whose strategic calculations have largely defined the post-independence framework of power in both Northern Nigeria and Nigeria generally, died in material modesty. He left behind no multi-million naira mansions, no 20-something-year-old billionaire children, and no string of dubious businesses jointly owned with shady foreign partners.”

These early leaders applied relentless dedication to duty, research, planning, sleepless nights of reflection and courage and honesty in implementation of their ideas. But three giants was not enough leadership for Nigeria. “The test of a man, the test of a class, the true test of a people is power”.  As Gladstone put it in 1890: “ It is when power is given into their hands that the trial comes”. In 1960 when power was given into the hands of Nigerians, competent and compassionate men, great thinkers, administrators and genuine patriots could have inherited positions of leadership. The sad evidence of our history is that too many dividers and thieves have succeeded to power and been suffered to masquerade as leaders of Nigeria. From the leadership class, a culture of stealing and irresponsibility has critically undermined the sense of community and the fabric of society and unfortunately we cannot evade responsibility by blaming the British.

The British ruled the country for only about 100 years, but the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (quoted in the Daily Telegraph of 25th June 2005) estimates that “leaders” of Nigeria have over 40 years stolen or misused GBP 220 Billion or the equivalent of 300 years of British aid. Now the thieves are not only those who have directly enriched themselves at our expense, they are also those many shallow, idle, foot soldiers of corruption and mediocrity who seek and occupy positions of authority, while denying the responsibility that should come with it. It includes also, the people with high sounding titles who steal the esteem and trust of their own people, so that they may defend their own empty vanity. Today their heirs continue to insinuate themselves into power without motive to serve, and exemplify a perverted system of beliefs which President Obasanjo condemned in his 1999 book “This Animal Called Man”

“What matters to most Nigerians is the Six “P’s”, which are pursued at all cost. - position, power, possession, plaudit, popularity and pleasure. Nothing else matters. …….  Honesty is disregarded, indolence is extolled, probity derided and waste and ostentation are paraded.”

The small island state of Singapore is less well endowed than Nigeria in all respects, yet it is often cited as an example of post colonial success and transformation. Its exemplary leader (Lee Kuan Yew) learned some of his transforming wisdom in Africa. He contrasted his experience of Lusaka under British rule with its post-independence state, drawing from this contrast, important lessons for his tiny island nation. He recalled the flowers, shrubs, trees and greenery at the side of the roads and at the roundabouts when he was driven in from the airport in 1964. Roses grew in abundance. Six years later, the roses had gone and weeds had taken over. Nine years after that, even the weeds had given up; the roundabouts were covered with tarmac.  "I had received," he tells us, "an unforgettable lesson in decolonisation, on how crucial it was to have social cohesion and capable, effective government to take power from the colonial authority, especially in Africa".

The tragedy for the development of our own country is that many of the succession of people who we have invested with our trust and adorned with mantle of leadership demonstrate that they have neither our standards, our values nor even our national interest at heart. Too often they demonstrate that they have neither personal discipline or moral and ethical boundaries, and most would mock the idea that leadership is a public trust. The English statesman, Stanley Baldwin correctly characterised the seeking of “power without responsibility” as “the prerogative of the harlot through the ages”. One “P” therefore encapsulates this system of values: “Prostitution”. This prostitution of rulership in Nigeria is the source of much backwardness as well as resentment.

Examples of impunity, double standards, greed, nepotism and graft abound.  Chief Awolowo’s 1961 lecture may well have been given last week, for he spoke of defects in the indigenisation of administration:

“……the situation is aggravated by the Federal Government when, as it often does, it applies criteria which have no regard at all for merit, in the advancement of some Nigerians. The present dispensation is that, provided your Region of origin is in the privileged category, and your connections in Government circles are strong, mediocrity and want of requisite qualifications are no bar to any high post, even though a number of other Nigerians who are infinitely better qualified in all respects may be unjustly superseded.”

The same subject is decried by another Nigerian Obi Nwakanma in the Vanguard of 23rd January 2005:

“There is no accountability. There is no democracy and representation. There is the successive manipulation of the polity to serve the purpose of an alien order. Nigerians must come to learn, that these men in power, though they bear our names, and we know their villages, are not our people. They are our oppressors”.  

Transforming leadership is given to a nation by the choice of its rulers and is a matter of sacrifice and of good example.  We have searched in vain for leadership in politics where governing has become a personal business rather than a public duty. We have searched in vain for leaders in business where mere men have built vulgar and expensive monuments to their egos which will not long survive them.  We have searched in vain for leaders even in religion but money and power has corrupted the message of God in His own house. Yet both Islam and Christianity (to either of which a majority of Nigerians profess allegiance) define leadership clearly and in exemplary terms.
Imam Ali, the fourth khalifah, in discussing the qualities of a leader said:

"O People! You know that it is not fitting that one who is greedy and parsimonious should attain rule and authority over the honour, lives and incomes of the Muslims, and the laws and ordinances enforced among them, and also leadership of them. Furthermore, he should not be ignorant and unaware of the law, lest in his ignorance he misleads the people. He must not be unjust and harsh ……..……….. He must refrain from accepting bribes when he sits in judgement, so that the rights of men are trampled underfoot and the claimant does not receive his due. He must not leave the Sunnah of the Prophet and the law in abeyance, so that the community falls into misguidance and peril."

Jesus had this to say about leadership:

"You know that the ruler of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. The son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28)

Leadership is not a license, it is a responsibility and a burden and the transformation of a nation begins with understanding the burden of leadership and surrendering to the sacrifice of self transformation. This sacrifice highlights the element of service as the paramount motive of a transforming leader.

The words servant and leader are usually thought of as being opposites, but the term “Servant Leader” encapsulates the qualities of transformational leadership and was first coined by Robert Greenleaf (1904–1990) in a 1970 essay titled "The Servant as Leader."  Greenleaf concluded that the great leader is first experienced as a servant to others, and that this simple fact is central to the leader's greatness. True leadership emerges from those whose primary motivation is a deep desire to help others. Servant-leadership emphasizes increased service to others, a holistic approach to work, promoting a sense of community, and the sharing of power in decision making.
In "The Servant as Leader" Greenleaf wrote,

"It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant--first to make sure that other people's highest-priority needs are being served. The best test is: Do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?"

At its core, servant-leadership is a long-term, transformational approach to life and work. In essence, a way of being that has the potential for creating positive change throughout our society. The servant-leader seeks to identify the will of a group and helps clarify that will. Such leadership is not based on position or taking authority over others, but seeks to help others succeed. True servant leadership calls upon us to sacrifice ourselves that others might succeed. Servant Leaders are motivated by compassion and mercy more than the rewards of success. 

As with shared vision and values, these leaders are principle-centered, believing in and demonstrating honesty, integrity, trust and other qualities. They are particularly noted as being ethical, perhaps even "noble." These leaders are guided by principles of justice, equity, dignity and respect for every individual. History confirms that leadership will fail unless it is built on strong and genuine values. Desert Storm General Norman Schwarzkopf said,

"Leadership is a combination of strategy and character. If you must be without one, be without the strategy."

Servant Leaders understand that accountability and personal discipline are essential components of good leadership. This is what President John F. Kennedy was speaking off when he urged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country”. In the same Inaugural Speech of January 20th 1961, he exhorted the world:

“Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."

Leaders are to be found at every level of society. These are people who identify and pursue significant goals, people without whose vision, motivation, encouragement, and support, the goals would not be achieved, people who can persuade others to change the way they think and act. These leaders do not have to come from the top.

The opportunity for leadership arises in myriad of circumstances and the response to that opportunity is personal. It's about you, about your beliefs, your values and your principles. What you sacrifice, what example you show and what vision you identify and pursue will reveal the Leadership in you. The transformation of Nigeria can begin only in the hearts and minds of its people and the greatest army for leadership and transformational change is our youth. If the youth embrace the challenge, spurn the odious excesses of our crop of rulers and develop love and a vision for Nigeria, then they will establish a new culture that will sweep prostitutes from rule in Nigeria, and transform the nation.
Mario Cuomo (a former governor of New York) spoke insightfully of teaching values:

“I talk and talk and talk, and I haven't taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week”.

It is examples of a new model of leadership that we are celebrating in these awards. I greet the new leaders of Nigeria, wherever they are hidden and I urge you to rise up. 
Thank you for listening.

C. A. CANDIDE-JOHNSON ESQ., S.A.N., FCI Arb.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Lee Kuan Yew. The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore: Times, 1998.
2. A lecture delivered by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to Nigerian Students at Conway Hall, London, on 3rd September, 1961
3. Zik and Awo: The original sin, Bolaji Ogunseye
4. The concepts of leader and leadership in Islam, Zafar Bangash
5. 10 Hallmarks of a Servant Leader " ”What Jesus Taught About Leadership"     by by Rev. Jerry Bowers.
6. Becoming a Servant Leader: Do You Have What It Takes? John E. Barbuto, Jr., Extension Leadership Development Specialist Daniel W. Wheeler, Extension Leadership Development Specialist
7. Spears, Larry C. "Practicing Servant-Leadership" Leader to Leader. 34 (Fall 2004)7-11
8.  Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It, Revised Edition James M. Kouzes, Barry Z. Posner
9. The Transforming Leader—Why Leaders Can Lead - C. Dean Pielstick
10. The Essence of Leadership, Pete Smith, President & CEO, Private Sector Council (lecture as the Medina Lecture at the Annual Meeting of the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration on April 28, 2004, in Washington D.C.   Posted by GovLeaders.org with the permission of the author).