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Leadership And Good Governance In Nigeria: Issues And Prospects For National Development
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CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The
quest for quality leadership and good governance is the aspiration of
citizens in most countries of the world. This is because the task of
harnessing scarce resources in pursuit of human and national development
is related to the quality and output of leadership (Richardson, 2008,
P.3). The history of the development of great nations suggests that
versatile leaders played a vital role in the transformation of their
societies through good governance. Thus, the quality of citizens’ life
and the overall development of a nation is a reflection of governance in
the nation.
In United States of America (USA) for example, Abraham
Lincoln stands out because of the courageous leadership he displayed
during the 1861-1865 American Civil War (Norton, ).This led to the
preservation of the Union, vindication of democracy and abolition of
slavery. These great feats were achieved by determination in pursuit of a
more perfect and equal Union (Ibid, P.17). Lincoln eventually left a
legacy being upheld in the USA till date as a good model of democracy
and enduring governance.
Similarly, the unification of East and West Germany could be
credited
to Otto Von Bismarck, one of the most significant political figures in
German history. His efforts were fast-tracked by Chancellor Helmut Kohl,
who ensured the enthronement of a federal system of government in a
unified Federal Republic of Germany in 1990 (Germany,
http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country-studies/germany/Government.html).
This was considered cardinal to a stable constitutional
democracy and good governance in the Country.
In China, Mao
Tse-Tung set the stage that transformed China from a peasant economy to a
major economic giant in the world. As a visionary leader, his primary
goals were to catch up and surpass the rest of the world in economy,
sports, science, technology and defence. Today, China is the fastest
growing economy in the world with an average annual growth rate of about
9 percent in the last 2 decades (Chow and Li, 1952-2010). These
accounts demonstrate that with visionary leadership and good governance,
a nation could experience remarkable improvement and success in its
overall development.
The continent of Africa has also produced
visionary leaders who have contributed positively in the development of
their countries. Nelson Mandela of South Africa holds sway as one of the
greatest figures of black emancipation with his history of
anti-apartheid struggle. Eventually, he was honored as the first
democratically elected President of South Africa in 1994 (Mandela,
1994, Pp. 746-747). His exemplary leadership symbolizes the struggle of
oppressed people around the world. He was able to steer South Africa
towards sustainable development and good governance ideals, epitomized
by smooth political transition.
In our country, issues of leadership
and good governance have been of great concern since attainment of
independence in 1960. Despite abundant human and natural
resources, corruption and mismanagement of public wealth have hampered
the pursuit of national development in the Country
(http://www.nationencyclopedia.com/economies/Africa/Nigeria.overviewofteheconomy.htm.).
Most Nigerian leaders are accused of lacking the requisite vision,
passion and character for political leadership (Dike, 2009). The
consequence is that despite Nigeria rich resource endowment, she has
consistently ranked low in various international assessments on human
development and good governance.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]1 The phenomenon of leadership and good governance has assumed greater
interest in Africa. With the return of democratic governance to Nigeria,
the study of the relationship between leadership and good governance
for national development has become an imperative. The study looks at
the challenges and prospects associated with leadership and good
governance in Nigeria within the first decade of the Fourth Republic.2.
The study discovered that political leadership has been ... Continue reading---
