LEAD FROM WHERE YOU ARE

We have reiterated severally that the problem of our dear country, Nigeria, is leadership. Someone once said that “the Tsunami of Nigeria is our leadership”. I think this assertion is right about our country, but the salient underlying context of referring only to the few persons in power at different power level as the leaders being referred to as the problem of Nigeria is what I don’t agree with. I believe that in some way, everyone is a leader and as such, everyone that is a Nigerian has in some way part of leadership problem in Nigeria.

It is therefore the collective responsibility of all Nigerians at different levels to take responsibility for Nigeria, after all Leadership is about responsibility. We as Nigerians must in our individual capacity have a resolve to change our nation from this path to gloominess. I heard someone say, if this generation does not rise up to address the decadence in our country, then Nigeria is doomed! It should be the responsibility of every living adult Nigerian today to ensure we do something positive to change the course of things in Nigeria. We all have to take on the problem of leadership. We all have to exhibit and manifest leadership in some way to move our nation forward. We have to make leadership our responsibility. My call in this note is to lead from where you are.

Responsibility is the heart of leadership. We all should begin to take responsibility for Nigeria we want to see tomorrow. Leading from where you are is a call to be responsible, a call to re-build our waste places and institutions in our own little ways. Where do we start from?

One key attribute of leaders is being assertive. Leaders must be assertive. Being assertive means standing up for right or making known legitimate needs, concerns and differences. Many times in this country, we the people have been quiet, and we look another way when others make unethical choices or behave in inappropriate ways. In so much as it doesn’t affect us directly; we feel it’s none of our business. Nigerians and Nigeria’s resources are our business! We are part of the ecosystem. Every individual decisions and actions affects us all one way or the other.

To lead from where you are, you must stand up for what you believe is for the common good of all. Not in violent or derogatory ways but with love. We have all benefitted negatively from our not been assertive. We have kept quiet for too long. We all should be on the look out to uphold Godly standards as appropriate in policies, responsibilities and relationships in our community. We must develop courage to tell people in our circle of influence and at our different levels the truth in a loving way whether they want to hear it or not. Truth is powerful in its nature, its potent enough to bring about change, positive change! All we need to do, and consistently do is SAY IT!

God has given everyman a gift for the betterment of their individual life and that of the community they find themselves. That is the truth! It is our responsibility to give expression to this truth. Say the truth, act out the truth and live the truth! The truth will itself bring about change. By saying the truth, I mean giving expression to your God given potential, assert it, and make it known! When you act out the truth, you act out your potential; when you live the truth, you live your potential and when you live your potential, you are leading from where you are and manifesting God’s idea. God’s idea for your life is the potential he put in you for your good and that of your circle of influence.

It’s time to stand up for our dear nation. Live right and do right! It’s time we take responsibility to make Nigeria a better place for us all! It’s time we speak out! It’s time to correct in love! It’s time we form pressure groups with common goal to tell those in authority to do the right thing and respond to the needs and concerns of Nigerians in a peaceful and loving way! It’s time live our full potential!

Fixing Nigeria is our collective responsibility. It’s not for a collective few. It’s for all of us to be assertive where we need to. Lead from where you are today. It’s for the good of all Nigerians. Have you heard about the Let There Be Light Crusade? See what it’s all about at www.lettherebelightng.org