Christopher Isiguzo
29 November 2008
Abakiliki — Commissioner for Inter-Party Dialogue in Ebonyi State, Comrade Egwu Chima, has said the many challenges facing the country's democracy were mainly caused by the poor understanding of the concept of leadership by the nation's leaders at the various levels of government.
Speaking shortly after receiving the leadership of Rotary Club, District 9140, Umuahia Central, Abia State, who came to present him with an Excellent Leadership award in recognition of his contributions to good governance at the Government House, Abakaliki, Chima blamed the opposition parties for being ignorant of their roles in a democratic governance.
He noted that rather than engage in destructive criticism, the opposition leaders should not only get involved in constructive criticism but should ensure by their conducts that they had better programmes that would improve on the general welfare, wellbeing and aspiration of the people.
The former National Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) maintained that for there to be an effective leadership, those in authority must exhibit such sterling credentials as transparency, accountability, honesty and integrity, among others.
"One of the challenges before us as we face the task of true leadership is our understanding of what true leadership is, to be able to effectively lead. This is because we cannot give what we don't have. The truth remains that the term leadership means different things to different people.
"Thus, leadership has not been precisely defined, and it still carries extraneous connotations that create ambiguity of meaning," he stated.
While explained further that for leadership to make desired impact, the wellbeing of the people must be uppermost in the minds of those in authority.
The commissioner, who extolled the leadership of Governor Martin Elechi, said the governor had within the past few months recorded laudable achievements in key sectors as healthcare, education, roads, and provision of portable water.
He thanked the leadership of Rotary Club for finding him worthy for the award and therefore recommended the four test of the Club which bothered on truth, justice fairness and love for another to those in leadership positions.
Earlier, the President of Rotary Club, Umuahia Central, Dr Emeka Iweala stated that the choice of Chima along with other prominent Nigerians for the award was because of their useful contributions to the promotion of democratic governance in the country.
Iweala, who led other officials of the club during the award presentation disclosed that the Rotary Club is involved in humanitarians' services, especially assisting the less privileged, promotion of good governance among others and therefore would not hesitate to honour those who also excel in such fields.
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