The Quest For A Better Leadership In Zamfara

I will like to begin by making an observation, majority of Zamfarawa on Facebook talk about leadership in one way or the other nearly everyday. One is left to find out is it due to good or bad leadership? Either ways one will conclude that Zamfara state is dearly in need of a better leadership at all levels.

Permit me to define what leadership is before talking about it. Dr. Yusef ‘Othman al-huzaim in his book ‘The Principles of Leadership’ defines it as; Leadership is a process by which an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. While i have no intention to define extensively what leadership is in this piece due to the fact that leadership can be perceived differently by individuals but the above definition gives an insight or revolves around what leadership should be.

Back to the topic, Zamfara state as a case study has failed to produce a Good leadership due to certain reasons which cannot be explained here all. Worthy of mention among numerous reasons is the syndrome of Godfatherism, lack of community participation in choosing the right leader, lack of good understanding of what leadership means, illiteracy among others. Times are fast changing more and more educated youth are emerging despite the challenges and conspiracies against education in Zamfara. The discourse of leadership is now one of the topmost subject matter in the state which is a major challenge to the status quo.

Youths can be a driving force for a better leadership in Zamfara if they strategically plan and maintain the pressure and agitation for a better Zamfara.

These i believe can be achieved through various ways;

1. Having good understanding of what leadership really means.
2. Having a clear and defined blueprint of what they want to achieve.
3. Setting goals and priorities carefully.
4. Taking the lead from the grass root level.
5. Uniting base on ideas rather than party.
6. Acquiring and equipping themselves with great ideas.
7. Using social media wisely.
8. Supporting fellow youths.
Etc.

If we can breed a new set of leaders different from the present accidental opportunists leaders i believe we will over come this problem. This can only be achieved if we choose competent state house of assembly members that can represent us well, over emphasising on the need for all our SHA to be educationally qualified is important considering the sit-down-look ones we have today.

Conclusion

A grass-root movement by the youths is timely and important for the better leadership we all yearn for our dear state.

Awareness campaigns in all our LGAs is necessary to actuate this dream. Support from i care and i don't care individuals is needed. Summits on leadership should be organised in various part of the state.

Exceptional, outstanding and educated candidates should be supported at all levels by all without considering party difference.

Ibrahim Bello Marafa
04/11/2017