The Standard Bearers Islamic Organisation, a faith based organisation has advised leaders in Nigeria to be morally upright and be Servant-Leaders of the people.
The servant leadership style is based on the idea that leaders prioritize serving the greater good. Leaders with this style serve their team and organization first. They don’t prioritize their own objectives.
The call was made by different Islamic clerics, academicians and analysts organised at the 13th Annual Symposium of Standard Bearers Islamic Organisation, Kwara branch.
The theme of the symposium is entitled:”Purposeful Leadership: Nigeria at a Crossroad”.
In his keynote address, Dr Saheed Ashafa, of the Department of Religious Studies, Osun State University stated that fundamental element of purposeful leadership is to be clear about who you serve in your position, both during good and challenging times.
He asserts that as a leader, you must serve the people on the front lines, adding that Purposeful Leader is the extent to which a leader has a strong moral self, and takes an ethical approach to leadership marked by a commitment.
He explained that the leader must be driven by purpose and must have creativity and has the will to implement such creativity.
Ashafa however observed that the greatest challenge of Nigeria is leadership, which is also characterised by alarming rate of insecurity among other challenges.
In his lecture, Malam Abdussalam Abdurrazaq, the Director of Public/Corporate Affairs of Voice of Nigeria, observed that Islamic Model of Leadership mandates that the “leadership is not authority but responsibility”.
He warned that politicians should be mindful that leadership intoxicates if the bearer does not have the fear of God in his actions.
Abdussalam however pointed out that the citizens too are not blameless as corruption is endemic.
He noted that as citizens we cannot be corrupt and demands for our leaders to be incorruptible, while reminding that Allah has warned that He will not change the situation of a people, unless they are ready to change for the best.
He quoted the Prophet Muhammad as saying: “any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling som1e people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never have even the smell of Paradise”
Also speaking, Hajia Amina Ahmad, the former Commissioner of Kwara Tertiary Education opined that women should be given opportunities in politics to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.
He dismissed the notion that it is wayward women who partake in politics, adding that there are many decent women who are God fearing.
Malam Garba Attahiru, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electiral Commission (INEC) Kwara explained that the commission has ensured that electoral malpractice will be reduced to nearest minimum.
Attahiru who was represented by Mr Bolaji Abdulkadri, Head of Unit Publicity and Protocol, stated that the commission has introduced new innovations such as the use of Smartcard reader.
In his opening address, Malam AbdulAfeez Adeagbo, the Kwara Coordinator of Standard Bearers Islamic Organisation noted that the theme of the symposium is apt, as 2023 election is fast approaching.
“It is evidently clear that Nigeria, the giant of Africa, is about to elect a new set of leaders that will take the mantle of leadership from the present administration in a couple of months.
“But despite the various injunctions of Allah that direct the Muslims towards being proactive in the society, followed by the various tutorials of the Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) that encourage active participation in nation building.
“Some Muslims opine that participation in electoral process is Kurf (disbelief) and for this reason, every Muslim must eschew it totally,” he said.
Adeagbo lamented also that the upcoming election is characterized by both Muslim and Christian adherents who are “are flexing muscles on who is more populous and popular”.
He also observed the overwhelming number of Nigerians who have lost interest in who becomes what due to the situation in Nigeria.
He pointed out that the symposium had afforded a platform to deliberate on such critical issues confronting the nation.
