Responsible leadership amid hardship – Our Security, Our Peace by Prof. O.E Bassey

It is important to recognize that leadership comes with enormous responsibilities, especially in difficult times. Responsible leadership is not just about governance; it is about being present and showing a deep sense of empathy for the people who look up to you for solutions. When a leader is absent during critical moments, it creates a perception that their priorities are misaligned with the realities of their citizens. This perception is particularly damaging when it is clear that many of the hardships being faced have worsened under the same administration, amplifying frustrations and leading to a loss of trust.

One of the core traits of responsible leadership is accountability, which requires a leader to stay close to the challenges at home and actively engage in addressing them. For a country battling inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, the president’s absence can feel like a betrayal to those who are waiting for real change. While foreign relations and diplomacy are crucial, they must not overshadow the immediate needs of citizens. The leader of a nation must bevisibly engaged, taking active steps to reassure the people that their concerns are heard, and their welfare is the top priority.

In times of crisis, what citizens need most is not a distant leader but one who is present and empathetic to their struggles. Responsible leadership demands that a leader faces the problems head-on and makes difficult decisions to improve

the lives of the people. Absences, especially under the guise of a ‘working leave,’ can be perceived as evasions from responsibility, causing further alienation between the government and the governed. The president has an opportunity to demonstrate a deeper sense of responsibility by cutting back on these trips and focusing on the immediate concerns of the nation.

It is also essential to consider the optics of such trips. When citizens see their leader leaving the country during times of great uncertainty, it sends a troubling message. It conveys a sense of disconnect, as though the president is removed from the day-to-day realities of the citizens. At a time when people are grappling with rising costs of living, poor infrastructure, and insecurity, the president’s absence raises valid concerns about whether he is truly in touch with the challenges on the ground. To rise to the expectations of responsible leadership, the president must acknowledge that his physical presence and actions at home are as crucial as any diplomatic venture abroad.

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Moreover, the notion of leadership by example becomes critical here. If the president is seen making personal sacrifices, staying close to the issues, and leading from the front, it sends a powerful message of solidarity with the citizens. Leadership is not just about giving orders; it’s about sharing in the burdens of the people and working alongside them to find solutions. This is

particularly true in times of hardship when citizens feel abandoned or overwhelmed by the lack of progress. A responsible leader must be present to inspire hope and steer the country toward a better path.

In addressing the growing discontent, the president must take immediate steps to demonstrate that he is fully committed to resolving the pressing issues at hand. This could involve frequent communication with the public, holding more town hall meetings, and making visible efforts to address the economic crisis. Taking such actions would help bridge the gap between the administration and the citizens, showing that the leader is not only aware of the problems but is also willing to take responsibility for them and lead the charge in finding solutions.

In conclusion, the president’s recent trips have provided an opportunity for reflection on what responsible leadership truly entails. To rise to the occasion, he must understand that his presence, empathy, and direct engagement with the people are crucial in these trying times. The hardships faced by citizens cannot be managed from afar, and the weight of leadership demands that he beon the frontlines, not only in policy but in action. Now is the time for the president to demonstrate that he is willing to lead with compassion and integrity, ensuring that the people know they are his top priority.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45:

Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Leadership, Conflict, Peace, and Security Management Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace, and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

Ofonime is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently a Professor of Leadership, Peace, and Conflict Resolution with ICOF University, USA/Zambia and a Professor of Peace Education with Charismatic International University, Cameroon.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute famous for Peace Leadership.

Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2030 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For leadership, conflict, peace and security consultations and trainings reach him via:

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Mail: emmanuelbassey@gmail.com