THE POVERTY OF LEADERSHIP AND SCIENCE OF PRODIGALISM IN NIGERIA: A PHILOSOPHICAL INQUEST

Post independent Nigeria has experienced and still experiencing series of transformation be it in the negative or positive. As the most populous black nation in Africa, it occupies a significant and formidable position in the continent as its fondly called “giant of Africa” cannot be for a joke. It is a country that has experienced all forms of political leadership ranging from colonial, military, civil and interim leadership all in an attempt to fashion out a safe leadership engineering and structuring for the good of its citizenry. It is equally blessed with abundant human and material resources. The natural deposits are so enormous to adequately ensure a robust economy for the benefit of the members of the society. This phenomenon is altered by the leaders’ psychology of self esteem and interest and Philosophy of “it is my turn syndrome”. This paper centers its logic on a philosophical trite that the ruler- ruled contract has evidently collapsed consequent upon the inability of the ruler to see his leadership position as that of a trust. It further argues that the bond enshrined in the country’s national pledge particularly the expressed wordings “to be faithful loyal and honest… to defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory” were mere fury words and of no evidential or pragmatic consequence going by the leadership policies and attitudes of the leaders. The paper arguably posits that the leaders’ inept practices and act of prodigalism were due to lack of vision, projection of self interest and clear absence of leadership credentials. It is the logic and projection of this paper that adequate leadership credentials, application of mental creativity in leadership and use of appropriate leadership tools will eliminate wasteful spending and prodigalism and also assist in aligning to the symbolic expression of the National pledge

AHAMEFULA GENDER COMPLEMENTARITY IN LEADERSHIP: A CASE FOR GENDEROCRACY

Most developing and third world countries are deeply engrossed with patrilineal form of leadership which is male-dominated. Any system of government that does not accommodate all segments of the society cannot be seen to be globally accepted especially in this age of consciousness on human rights, justice and rule of law. This paper "Ahamefula: Gender complementarity in leadership: A case for Genderocracy” seeks to argue that the hitherto non-existing balance in the distribution of responsibility and rewards can only divide the state than be a unifying factor. It argues further that, in the new leadership regime it will ignore western contacts but ensure African (Nigeria) ideal form of leadership as its own identity-“ejiri mara”, for unity, cooperation and integration of all genders. This paper is of the opinion that power/ leadership rotation between the genders which in this context, called “genderocracy” be applied as a possible means of reducing waste, maiming, thuggery and others. Genderocracy does not imply inclusiveness in leadership. Inclusion in this context, implies integration or accommodation in the scheme of things by the race, gender, class and region that is in charge of political portfolio. Inclusive participation puts one in a beggarly disposition. It does not offer one equality of rights, as the person accommodated or integrated into the whole class recognizes existing limitations. On the other hand, the thesis of genderocracy rests squarely on a philosophical assumptive matrix of rotation and/or power sharing for and among the genders on equal parameter disregarding any form of parochial and primordial sensibilities. The paper shall apply rational, analytic and expository methods. The objectives of the paper is to design a model of leadership which has the capacity of ensuring good governance and equal participation. The concern of the paper is to propagate a novel leadership platform or model for Nigeria of Afric

THE POVERTY OF LEADERSHIP AND SCIENCE OF PRODIGALISM IN NIGERIA: A PHILOSOPHICAL INQUEST

Post independent Nigeria has experienced and still experiencing series of transformation be it in the negative or positive. As the most populous black nation in Africa, it occupies a significant and formidable position in the continent as its fondly called “giant of Africa” cannot be for a joke. It is a country that has experienced all forms of political leadership ranging from colonial, military, civil and interim leadership all in an attempt to fashion out a safe leadership engineering and structuring for the good of its citizenry. It is equally blessed with abundant human and material resources. The natural deposits are so enormous to adequately ensure a robust economy for the benefit of the members of the society. This phenomenon is altered by the leaders’ psychology of self esteem and interest and Philosophy of “it is my turn syndrome”. This paper centers its logic on a philosophical trite that the ruler- ruled contract has evidently collapsed consequent upon the inability of the ruler to see his leadership position as that of a trust. It further argues that the bond enshrined in the country’s national pledge particularly the expressed wordings “to be faithful loyal and honest… to defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory” were mere fury words and of no evidential or pragmatic consequence going by the leadership policies and attitudes of the leaders. The paper arguably posits that the leaders’ inept practices and act of prodigalism were due to lack of vision, projection of self interest and clear absence of leadership credentials. It is the logic and projection of this paper that adequate leadership credentials, application of mental creativity in leadership and use of appropriate leadership tools will eliminate wasteful spending and prodigalism and also assist in aligning to the symbolic expression of the National pledge

Globalization from WHO and for Who: A Tour to Reformed Imperialism

Globalization today is at a dangerous crossroads. Although many alleged it has provided enormous benefits, but the systemic risks and growing inequality it causes necessitate urgent action. The myth of a borderless world is crashing down. Traditional pillars of open markets; the United Kingdom and United States are wobbling. This is evident in the Brexit vote which stunned European Union and the world at large, couple with the recent policies of the American government towards its fellow western allies and immigrants. Many people are beginning to feel so troubled about our economic future. The failure to arrest these global developments is likely to lead to growing nationalist policies, protectionism and xenophobia, which the world is already witnessing. Globalization has created growth, no doubt. But what kind of growth? And for who? This crisis posed by globalization has forced many to question the motive behind this phenomenon. Could this be renewed imperialism? This paper adopts rational and analytic methods in exposing this argument

The Morality and Utility of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Nigerian State

Abstract: Arguably, prominent scholars in the ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary periods in human existence had argued to the conclusion that no one is self sufficient, implying that everyone at anytime needs the cooperation of everyone for the continuous existence of life. The advancement of this cooperation and its sustenance by people of diverse culture, religions, languages, ethnic and socio-political backgrounds may result to disagreement and other violent dispositions which act, if not checkmated could cause monumental disruptions, economic collapse and inter and intra ethnic clashes. The necessity of human existence cannot be over emphasized as this would ensure political and economic prosperity of a nation state such as Nigeria. It is in the light of ensuring convivial atmosphere, balanced and valid socio-cultural fraternity and inarguable insufficiency of human wants that it becomes moral and utilitarian for leaders of state and organization to utilize the facilities of alternative dispute, for resolution of conflicts and disagreement that may arise in the cause of their private and public relationships. The morality of alternative dispute resolution is hinged on inelastic protection of parties from public knowledge, economic value and peaceful and transparent restoration of confidence in friendship

A Philosophical Survey Of The Influence Of The Mdeia On Violence Among Youths

The media are like a two-edged sword; it could built, it could also destroy. It has the capacity to increase the virtue level of a society; it also has an equal capacity to increase the vices of the society. From surveys it appears to these writers that, the media at present is wielding its vicious powers more. An increase in cases of homicides, terrorism, crime, violence and other social ills in the world is a clear testimony to this assertion. Since the state or the government exists to produce virtues in the citizens, it is imperative that the government takes serious steps to curb the dysfunctional effects of the media on the citizens and the society at large. The government should not be left alone to do this, the religious leaders, physicians, psychologists, philosophers, parents and the media practitioners themselves need to contribute their quota to evolve a media of our dreams – a media that would yield positive and beneficial fruits to the society. The media should be an instrument aimed at shaping the lives of the youth and the society. As an educative, instructive, didactic and healing therapeutic facility, the negatives associated with the media should be avoided by aspiring to embrace the positive effects of their relevance

Revaluating Fletcher’s situation ethics within the confines of truthfulness in medical ethics

All medical interventions are patient-centered. It is the patient who is the focal point of all medical interventions. The patient is a person in need of medical help and care. He is at the mercy of the medical personnel, and finds himself in a vulnerable and emotional state. He concentrates on the subjective experience of his sickness or illness, whereas the physician may be concerned with the disease. In this situation of the patient and the physician a question arises: Does the physician have the duty to tell his/her patient the truth and nothing but the truth in any and all situations? Another question that may come up is, is the right to know the truth absolute? In recent past, many physicians worry about the harmful effects of disclosing information about a patient‟s health condition. As a result of this they hide the truth from the patient relying on situation ethics. They argue that the patient's right to the truth depends on the situation of his/her health condition. Based on this, they give information as much as they judge the patient can sustain. While we understand their point, we want to state also that appropriate sensitivity and tact will remove the possibility of such fear. Fletcher in his situation ethics argues that every actual situation of moral choice is almost completely unique. It is the content of the action which determines the “right” action. Fletcher is of the opinion that the patient's right to the truth is not absolute. In this work we made a critique of Fletcher's situation ethics with a view to stating that it is morally wrong for the physician to deny the patient the truth about his/her health condition. The patient must not be denied the truth about his health condition no matter the situation except he/she chooses not to be told. For the physician to withhold the truth from the patient, is to destroy the mutual respect and trust that exist between the patient and the physician in medical practice.Keywords: Situation Ethics; Physician; Truthfulness; Medical Ethics; Patien

The role of the military to national development in Nigeria

The broadened thinking of national security has reduced the efficacy of military strategy in dealing with all the various threats that face the world now. For instance, more than half of Nigerians are living in extreme poverty, hence the least deprived can easily sacrifice their lives for terrorist attacks and engage in crime to help relieve the rest of their families from continued suffering. These new actors now have various names, but in essence, they are among the disillusioned poor people. Nigerian militant groups, e.g. Niger Delta Militant, Boko Haram, and the Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB) have some undertones to these realities. Due to the above reasons, there is a need for the Nigerian military to re-strategise and rethink security and other economic related roles within the country. To find a solution that could lead to success in both tackling insurgencies as well as underdevelopment, this work explores the economic role the military force can play towards Nigeria’s national development. The investigation focuses on the non-military and non-political role of the military. The conclusion of this research offers a framework for rethinking counterinsurgency, thus arguing that the traditional role of the military as the guardian of national sovereignty should remain unchanged because of the strategic uncertainties in the African region. This role has to be complemented with a new role, which is that of contributing to social projects as well as contributing its resources towards poverty alleviation

Asouzu’s phenomenon of concealment and Bacon’s idols of the mind: a paradox of Nigeria’s leadership crisis

Asouzu’s phenomenon of concealment Ihe Mkpuchi-Anya and Bacon’s idols as it has been used in this paper, seek to enlighten society to the underlying implications of avoiding the presentation of the true picture of things. The study emanates from the contentions of leaders of states, who, instead of promoting the ideals and values which promote social and political-coexistence, limit and conceal their views of leadership to some tribalistic, ethnocentric and self-serving idols, and by so doing, they cause a monumental harm to the polity. This is so, because, whether the concealment of Asouzu or the idols of Bacon, the argument is that, in both ways and views, it is an attempt to hide, hoard, prevent and distort reality, truth and knowledge which the effect remains the negativity and failure of a growing system. This paper seeks to argue that the prevailing existence and careful articulation of the notion of concealment and idols in the leadership structuring and engineering without conscious effort of extricating them has negatively affected socio-political, religious, cultural and economic growth and development of the Nigerian state. The paper further argues that proper and careful elimination of the idol of concealment as propagated by Asouzu and Francis Bacon’s four known cardinal idols in the socio-political leadership of Nigeria would be a proper foundation for peaceful, economic, social and political co-existence. This paper adopts a critical, conceptual and analytical method in driving home its argument.Keywords: concealment, idols, leadershi