Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has advised political leaders at all levels to deliberately make the necessary sacrifices that promote patriotism, inspire devotion and spur citizens to do their best for their country.
Jonathan gave the advice while delivering the keynote address at the one-year memorial summit in honour of the late Captain Idahosa Okunbo, in Abuja on Saturday.
He also charged political leaders to be concerned about the depth of their footprints and the kind of legacies they are leaving behind.
“Those who also lead at various capacities in politics and business, be they councillors, council chairpersons, governors, lawmakers at both state and national levels as well as boardroom gurus, should be bothered about the value of their leadership style.
“The essence of leadership is to drive initiatives that seek to build sustainable societies and make the lives of the people better and more meaningful.
“Every political leader should, in a moment of introspection, spare a thought for the legacy he or she would leave behind.
“Will you be remembered as a deceitful leader, an ethnic bigot, religious fanatic or a nation builder that would leave lasting legacies for the people,” Jonathan said.’
He said anybody aspiring to public office should first articulate his own vision and philosophy of leadership.
He said that leadership did not necessarily refer only to a political office, it encompassed the kind of guidance people were given at every position of responsibility.
“I always emphasise that the seed of leadership should be sown in the family from which it grows to guide the society. “Good leadership at homes, schools, communities, traditional institutions, as well as worship places will give birth to legacies that would serve as a source of pride and benefit to the rest of society.”
On Nigeria’s political evolution and developmental challenges, Jonathan said the nation and its leaders could not afford to lay undue emphasis on its ethnic-sectional colouration.
He said that emphasis should rather be to harness and rally the fine points of its diversity for positive growth and development.
Jonathan who believed that the legacy of nationhood and roots of unity were weak at Nigeria’s independence, said not much had been done since then to strengthen the base of the union.
“Nations grow on the back of lasting legacies left by successive leaders. “Our founding fathers may have offered their best efforts and made their own mistakes in service to their country and allegiance to cultural identities, especially on the issue bordering on the unity of Nigeria.
“But we should be able to ask ourselves as current political leaders, what lasting legacies are we leaving for our children and grandchildren.”
