Bishop David Ibiyeomie, Senior Pastor, Salvation Ministry, has called for transgenerational leaders that would think of the country’s next generation rather than thinking of how to win elections.
Ibiyeomie made the call in Nasarawa on Wednesday on the sideline of a public lecture to celebrate the 60th birthday of Bishop David Abioye, a Senior Pastor at the Living Faith Church.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Building a Leadership that Last’, he described Abioye as a man of noble and humble character, worthy of emulation.
Further describing Abioye as a man of integrity, flexibility, humility, stewardship and empathy, Ibiyeomie said these attributes, if exhibited by political leaders, would translate to a better country.
He advised that the country would achieve greater exploit if we looked out for visionary leaders that would translate positively to development in education, health and every facet of human lifestyle.
“My advice to Nigeria is to look for visionary leaders that can help move the country forward. Politicians talk about the next elections, but statesmen talk about the next generation.
“What Nigeria needs is a statesman, who will think of the next generation not just the next election.
“Leadership is not a title; it is when men have you in their mind.
“In Christ, the goal of our leadership is to serve the people and not to oppress them,” he said.
Meanwhile, a former governor of Cross River, Liyel Imoke, said that the need to address the issue of good leadership was becoming rare in this dispensation.
According to Imoke, what confers leadership on anyone is not the office he holds, but the leadership qualities such a person possesses.
“Shortage of good leadership will translate to shortage of good development and we all need to address this as a nation.
“Leadership is different from an office. For the fact that you hold an office does not possibly confer on you true leadership.
“It is a quality that is not given by an office. So, if you do not have that quality, when you get into office, you will still not be able to lead,” said Imoke.
The former governor also called on leaders to possess the fear of God, saying the absence of this would destroy goals to achieve development.
Responding, Abioye thanked God for the privilege given to him to serve the people.
According to him, leadership has nothing to do with occupying a position, but it’s all about being able to take steps and do what others are not privileged to do.
The nation, he said, would experience greatness if more right leaders were placed to lead the people.
He observed the dearth of visionary leadership as an issue to be attended to across the nations of Africa.
“If you are a rising leader, the followers will rise. If you are a falling leader, everyone will go down the lane,” he said.
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He concluded that leadership had to do more with harnessing human resources than of mineral resources.
Most developed countries without mineral resources, he said, simply harnessed their human resources.
Other dignitaries at the event are, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, Founder, Throneroom Thrust Ministry, Kafancha, Kaduna State and Mr Fela Durotoye, former Nigeria presidential aspirant in the 2019 elections.
