By Denrele Animasaun

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

I have often wondered if Nigerians understand the difference between ruling and leading. I said this because, the insults and innuendoes bandied about recently regarding level of education; semi-illiterates, Ph.D holders speak volumes. Nigeria needs a leader not a ruler. We are a democratic country aren’t we?

This ruler versus leader has suddenly thrown this obsession of positions and high titles out in the open. We need to have a conversation as to why we are preoccupied with our obsession and blind observance with the convoluted dalliance with tin pot diktats. These blind adulations of people in high office is the stumbling block that stops us from dealing with the issue at hand and we often risk throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath water.

In the past, it was understandable that, as a colony, our forbearing were keen that we were educated in order for us to move ahead and take our place in modern society. In those days, you got a decent education and a job. It was about hard work and success. We were told that if you worked hard, you reaped the benefits. So gradually, you worked your way through the ranks; you earned your place in society and in life. Whatever you were then, you were drilled to be the best after all, and you had responsibilities. It was the responsibility to become a leader and mentor for others to follow.

That was how it was then but now, it is another story. Everyone wants to be the boss. In recent years it seems that everyone is building their little empire, there is this insatiable need to be celebrated, given an honorary obeisance, and in fact, they seem to be offended if they do not get the recognition, they demand respect. The Napoleon complex is very much alive and well in Nigeria. We have people with loose morals and empty conscience who demand adulation and unadulterated respect. The superficial obsessions with titles are endemic in some of our communities than in others… We have more cowboys and not enough Indians. Everybody wants to rule but no one wants to serve. So how do we move forward?

I remember a story about Cuba some years ago. When Cuba had trained so many doctors and not enough farmers, well, the country is not going to eat doctors are they? So Castro sent them to the farm! We have to take long and hard look at our distribution of power and responsibilities. We need to ensure that every aspect of livelihood is encouraged to thrive and be best in their fields. It is sad and unfortunate that we place importance on some professions than in others.

We need to consider the way we apportion importance to some professions or titles and honours we bestow on people is often about money and influences that buy titles and not merit. We need to in fact, find our self-respect, ensure that everyone matters. Our country needs everyone and every station in life. We need an inclusive society.

In the last couple of years, sadly, we have elevated some people to position that is clearly not deserved or appropriate and as a result they have felt that it was their right to assume these positions and rule over their subjects rather than lead.

We seem to favour the get rich scheme; we all want to be rich and powerful. We have this insatiable desire to be powerful by any means necessary and the quicker the better. One of the reasons many will do anything to become a politician is because we have a misplaced sense of self and over inflated sense of self importance. Plant our food? We have to rethink the way we perceive respect, station and obsession of titles.

Recently, there have been the hullabaloos of highly educated of semi illiterate status. Yet, we seem to use” ruler and leader” interchangeably. And every now and then, we need to question one another how we address people in high positions. I will go as far as to say that some people feel that our rulers should not be questioned at all and they should be given all the trappings of their positions and none of the responsibilities. So these people see their positions as beyond reproach and any insubordination requires severe recriminations. There is a systematic abuse of power, corruption and suppression of the masses.

Bear with me and I know for some, the penny should have dropped by now and I may risk teaching old ladies how to suck eggs; but I will ask: does it really matter how educated you are, and does that qualify you to lead a country? What Nigeria needs is capable leaders. Nigerians are desperately in need of leaders, good leaders who are willing to put the needs of the people first before their own and take responsibility for their actions.

Good leaders who will lead by example, a unifier who will take responsibility for the welfare of the people. Someone who will not shirk his responsibility nor leave his conscience behind when making tough decisions that may not be popular but necessary.

Leaders inspire others into action by showing their capabilities. They develop their visions and encourage the country to unite and work together. Instead the government is telling the people what to do and wants to force them to do as they dictate. We need a leader that can inspire and encourage citizens to act responsibly. And of course, it will be a collaborative effort.

No one has the right to feel that they can hold on the vestiges of power. That they can take for granted people’s loyalty because, ultimately, the people matter and people should be allowed to exercise their constitutional obligation, choosing a leader to lead Nigeria. In a recent rally, Jonathan asked supporters in Lagos to vote for him and “move Nigeria forward.”   I am sure everyone would want Nigeria to move forward, if people feel that he is the right person to lead Nigeria to move forward. People will have to look at what he has done in the last couple of years that engendered confidence that he is really the right person to lead Nigeria. Has he done enough and has the lives of Nigerians improved to ensure that their lives and future is safe in his hands? This present administration seems to see its role as ruling over the masses and consistently failed to listen to the people and make changes to improve the lives of the people. Change, real change is what is needed. Real power should lie with the people and that is through the ballot.