CAN NIGERIA IN HER TURBULENT TIMES FIND A MODEL IN MARK 10:45a?: A DISCOURSE ON LEADERSHIP TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

Starting  from  the  days  when  African  Traditional  Religion  thrived  immensely to  the  emergence  of  modern  western  religions,  the  continent  of  Africa  which Nigeria  is  significantly  part  and  parcel  of  has  always  been  saturated  with religious  beliefs  and  principles.  Thus,  it  is  not  surprising  to  see  scholars  like Mbiti  who  clearly  observes  that  the  African  people  are  notoriously  religious. Hence  wherever  the  African  is,  there  is  religion  and  the  consciousness  of religion.  An  African  weighs  his/her  success  and progress  in  accordance  with his/her  mutual  cordial  relationship  with  his  or  her ‘chi’.  In  fact,  it  calls  for  a critical  religious  scrutiny  whenever  a  religious  African  starts  to  experience strings  and  series  of  misfortune  in  life.  Meanwhile,  since  the  end of  colonial rule   in   Nigeria,   the   country   has   continued   to   experience   political   and leadership instability which is even at its peak in recent times. The more hope is  nursed  for  a  better  tomorrow,  the  more  things  keep  deteriorating.  This paper, through an exegetical lens as well as the consultation of some relevant research  and  written  works  attempts  a  wake-up  call  to  all  Nigerians  and Africans  at  large  both  the  leaders  and  the  led  to  the  religious/scriptural injunction  in  Mark  10:45  which  deals  with  Christ’s  submission  on  his vocation to serve and not to be served as a leader.  It is of the candid opinion that if this scripture and its injunction could be taken to heart, meditated upon and  rightly  implemented,  it  would  go  a  long  way  in  rendering  a  very  long lasting  solution  to  our  leadership  quagmire  where  so  many  other  remedies have proved abortive.