Ijuo Okpe
Literally, a leader is a person that leads. Leaders need not to have eyes to lead as the only weapons required are courage, foresight, vision and ability. I prefer a visionary blind man as a leader to a two-eyed person who lacks courage and vision.
A leader must think big. A leader must believe that there is nothing under the sun that is impossible. Listen! A leader must be a possibility thinker. A leader must put his life on the line. A leader must avoid hedonistic lifestyle. A leader must not be far from his people. A leader must be a person of integrity – very proactive, be up and doing, creative and decisive.
Our expectations are that: our leaders should represent us responsibly; be our voice and be courageous to draw government attention our plight. Our leaders are expected to stand up against injustice. We expect that the predominant thought in the minds of our leaders should be: Igede is still producing only one Commissioner even after a State was carved out of the existing one and other ethnic groups in the State are producing double or more than double of the Commissioners they used to produce in the old Benue State and address this grave marginalization. Two members in the House of Assembly, one in the House of Representatives and no Senator is injustice.
The so-called majority ethnic groups are also using their numeric strength to deny us ambassadorial and ministerial positions, and even all other federal appointments, leaving people like me to wonder what then is left for the Igede? This question ought to trouble the minds of Igede elected and appointed political leaders.
Our leaders are expected to initiate the establishments of radio and television stations in Igedeland. Our leaders are expected to appeal to the federal government to take over the College of Education, Oju, and upgrade it to university, since there is no federal government presence in any part of Igedeland.
Our leaders are expected to plead with both the state and federal governments to declare Igedeland a disaster area, citing the outbreaks of several epidemic and endemic diseases such as yellow fever and cerebrospinal meningitis that killed hundreds of people, infectious guinea worms that are ravaging many communities as a reason; and thus requesting the federal government to establish a world class hospital in the area.
Our leaders are not expected to be comfortable that Igede is not considered as a majority ethnic nationality along with Tiv and Idoma. Our leaders are expected to promote Igede culture, values and norms and make the celebration of Agba festival a world affair. Our leaders are expected to encourage the teaching of Igede language in schools and colleges in Igedeland.
Our political leaders are expected to form an Association through which they should be collectively addressing problems confronting the Igede. Our leaders are not expected to worship leaders from other ethnic groups.
Our leaders are expected to show interest in how many Igedes apply for and gain admission into Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) every year; how many are in the Police, and how many are in the paramilitary agencies in the country.
Our leaders are expected to be concerned about the Igedes in the Western States of Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and even Kwara in the north central. In those States, even the Yorubas acknowledge that the Igedes outnumber them in all the villages in their lands. Already the Governors of those States are showing interest and they are willing to allow the Igedes to participate in their governments. Already Igede music is often played in radio stations in Ogun State; and we are convinced that they are ready to allow Igede featuring in the news transmission and other programmes on both the radio and television networks in their respective States.
Our leaders are expected to know that apart from the Igedes of Oju and Obi local government councils there are sizeable Igedes in Konshisha and Gwer councils of Benue State and Yala local government of Cross River State.
Our leaders should or ought to know that all things considered, Igede is the fourth or fifth largest ethnic group in the country. They are expected to exploit all avenues to bring Igede to limelight.
It is imperative to conclude this first part of this article by quoting Brian Tracy who in his Book: “The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Law of Business Success”, says of a leader in the following words: “The leader is the person who accepts the responsibility to turn and face whatever danger or threat… Leaders have the courage to make decisions and to take action in the face of doubt and uncertainty with no guarantee of success. Leaders think about how they want to be viewed by others, now and later in life”.
To be continued.
This Article was first published in the monthly Magazine, The Congress, September, 2009 edition.
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