CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
It is glaring that the development of any society depends on how effective the leadership of that country is. In Nigeria, lack of effective political leadership has continued to be a reoccurring problem. It is on this premise that the leadership situation in Nigeria is looked into.
- Background of the Study
Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, became king of Judah and Israel in the year 967 BCE until his death in 928 BCE. Solomon’s wisdom has been generally perceived as focusing on his parables, proverbs, and songs, while his political and economic qualities have been overlooked. The expansion of Israel’s economy during the reign of Solomon was due to his effective political policies. Hopkins (1977) reveals that in displaying political and administrative wisdom, Solomon proved equal to taking full advantage of the unparalleled opportunity for economic growth and development. Consequently, the freedom from armed conflict, during Solomon’s reign, was a rare phenomenon in antiquity, looking at his predecessors.
From Jewish history, there was unprecedented development during the reign of Solomon. Internationally, there was bilateral agreement between Jerusalem and other nations which were very beneficial to the people of Israel and Judah. Nationally, there was exploration of natural resources in mines and stone quarries. In was in this light that Louis (2008) states that it was Solomon’s political strategy made possible by his wisdom to be able to keep peace with all the rulers of Philistines, Jebusites, Hivites, Ammonites, among others, which David his father fought against during his reign. It was this peace that afforded Solomon the time to be able to build a temple for God.
During Nigeria’s independence, there were excitements that the potentials of Nigeria, which the white man has been nipping in the bud, would materialize. There were prophecies and anticipations that Nigeria would be one of the countries to be reckoned with internationally, based on development political culture and robust economy. Odo (2015) writes that this optimism, hope and great expectations were regrettably misplaced. Shadows have been cast over the sanguinity and buoyancy of the faith of a developed Nigeria. After 57 years of independence, Tolu, kayode and Ilepe (2012:188) laments that “there is absolutely nothing to show for this fifty-one year of existence. Nigeria of today cannot compete favourably with its counterpart in the march to development, especially in the areas of quality of life, infrastructural facilities, basic needs of life and technological development.” One can see the pains of the average man, the hunger of the common man and cry of the less privileged, with regards to the economic recession and downturn necessitated by inept and ineffective leadership Nigeria has continually experienced. Corroborating this fact, Tolu and Dare (2012) state that the socio-economic and political development of any country depends greatly on the ability of its leadership to facilitate, entrench and sustain good governance.
- Statement of the Problem
There are evidences of failed leadership in Nigeria. Of the several factors that have been discovered to have caused this is the poor state of mind of Nigeria’s leaders, particularly in managing the divergent human and material resources, and the lack of servant leadership due to non-consciousness of leadership demands. Furthermore, so many Nigerian leaders find their way into leadership without taking into consideration the demands of leadership. This is why they under perform when they find themselves on the leadership seat.
Currently, there are growing voices against the injustices of leaders. Nigeria’s political leaders rule with nepotism, tribalism, sentiments, and witch-haunting of perceived enemies. These have given room for a hike in social injustice in the land. Leaders tend not to uphold the law which they took an oath of office to protect.
Literature is replete with evidences of lack of wisdom and discerning mind on the part of Nigerian leaders, implying that this ugly situation would remain as long as the solution to the problem is not sought. Thus, the problem of the study is: What is the possibility of developing leaders with wisdom and leaders who listen more than talk in order have a balanced opinion in furtherance of the course of Nigeria’s development?
- Aim of the Study
The general aim of the study is to examine the import of Solomon’s wisdom and discerning mind as roadmaps for effective Leadership in Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined: