THIS is a trying time in the life of our nation. While we must admit the resilience of the Nigerian people, the fact remains that the issues that confront the Nigerian polity today are those that try the patience of citizens. From security to sustenance or subsidy, Nigerian citizens are daily becoming impatient with political leadership, and the hearts of many overflow with opprobrium towards the political elite. The average man on the street finds it hard to think of his political leader as a servant or facilitator. For him, it is simply convenient to regard the political leadership as a band of lords and looters; and he has reasons for such an opinion.

This is therefore a good time to look again at the meaning, and the critical place of servant leadership in the life of both Church ‘and nation. It was John Haggai who said that everything rises or falls on leadership. Our nation cannot be an exception to this rule. We must agree that good leadership is the single most important factor for growth and health in our nation. If that is the case , what do we need to do to further midwife growth and positive change in Nigeria today?

For me, I think the answer to that question is very simple. All we need to do to be effective leaders in our various areas of responsibility is to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus is our perfect example. At all stages of our lives or our leadership careers, we must maintain a keen awareness of his example. What is more; for the Christian, the Lord has called us to .r’epresent Him, and the servant can only be like his master.

Moreover, our Lord Jesus Christ remains the greatest leader in human history. This is not just on account of the sheer mass of followership that the Christian faith has enjoyed. The leadership legacy of the Lord has endured, and has defied the natural atresia that the passage of time imposes on all movements or organisations. Even for secular institutions therefore, the example of Christ remains relevant if we desire sustainability. If we desire a Church or nation or association that shall not grow weaker as time passes by, the leaders thereof must strive to lead as the Lord does.

What is the example of our Lord? We see a most notable expression of that in his teaching to his disciples when two of the disciples jostled for ascendancy in securing privileged positions in the kingdom.

The Lord told us in Mark 10: 42 - 45, Mark 10:42-45 ... Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you) shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto) but to minister) and to give his life a ransom for many.