Alright. That was from TopeQS for futminna, let other debaters roll in........

My greetings to the owner of nairaland, Mr. Oluwaseun Osewa, the moderators, panel of judges, the coordinators of this debate and the awesome and ever present online audience, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.
My name is Alfred, known with the moniker as Djhack, representing the Federal University of Technology Minna, in support of the topic “Effective change Nigeria truly needs, sole responsibility of the leaders or followers”

To get a good understanding of the topic of discussion, we need to understand the terms in the topic. Effective change as defined by change first is the leadership that happens when leaders of change, provide direction, guidance, and support to the people who are implementing the change as well as those having to adapt to the change. Sole responsibility is the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or having control over something and being accountable for it. While the definition of a ‘leader’ is as diverse as the myriad of books and articles written on it. This is because so many writers have defined leadership from different perspectives. No matter the angle from which the definition of leadership is viewed, a leader is one who exerts unusual influence and considerable power. According to McFarland, a leader "is one who makes things happen that would not happen otherwise. If the leader causes changes that he intended, he has exercised power, but if the leader causes changes that he did not intend or want, he has exercised influence, but not power" (MacFarland, 1969, pp.167-178; Kofele-Kale, 1976, p.81).


Leadership in its simplest form can be depicted as the ability to inspire, direct, motivate and encourage others positively to targeted end. Also, leadership is about rising up to the occasion by organizing and adequately coordinating the resources of time, relationship, skills, expertise and finances to achieve a goal for the common good of all in the country. Flowing from the foregoing, it can be deduced that the concept of leadership is complex and dynamic, hence, it connotes assignment, effectiveness, responsibility, accountability, vision, character, productivity, persuasion and realization of targeted goals. Leading a change initiative is one of the most difficult tasks a leader can face. It is a double-edged sword with many risks and opportunities. For most leaders, managing a change initiative is crucial role, but the responsibilities can widely vary depending on what type of change will be pursued.


There are many leadership types and each has peculiar attributes. I will briefly discuss the two types of political leadership found in contemporary African societies, namely: Instrumental and Societal leadership. "Instrumental" leader uses power and influence primarily in the pursuit of private (personal, close family, cohorts) goals. Community objectives are secondary to an instrumental leader. The main concern of the instrumental leader is how he can use his office to achieve personal objectives. He may not be lacking in social/community commitments, but in practice more considerations are given to self over the interests of the society which he governs (Eulau, 1963, p.96). The "Societal" leader is a public servant first and only secondarily a private person. While the instrumental leader uses his position to promote private and selfish goals, the societal leader subordinates private narrow goals for broader community objectives. For him power and influence are important only if they can be used to solve human problems. While the societal leader is likely to resign when he is convinced he cannot influence changes to the benefit of the public, the instrumental leader would hold on to power as long as his private objectives are achieved. He does not care whether the community derives any benefit from his rule, or not. Given the above descriptions and the antecedents of Nigeria’s past leaders, it is clear that the majority of them were instrumentalists and opportunists. General Abacha for instance, was holding on to power, grabbing and hoarding as much money as he could possibly put his hands on without minding the effect of his behavior and actions on the society.


Leaders make things happen; they are wave makers. A society without talented and committed leaders will retrogress or at best remain stagnant without change to the lives of the people and the country. That has been the problem with Nigeria. A careful examination of the attitude and behavior of the leaders of post-colonial Nigeria shows that many of the civilian, as well as military leaders, were mired in the pursuit of selfish personal goals at the expense of broader national interest or needs. In other words, they were ‘instrumental’ leaders, or what David Apter called "consummatory" leaders. But to achieve effective change in Nigeria we are required to vote into power fearless leaders so are change elements and know deep down where it affects the average Nigeria.

Virtually in all human endeavour, be it in the home, corporate, religious and national setting, leadership is the pivot. Every leader has a primary jurisdiction. To the family head, it is his immediate environment. To the politician, it is those who voted him into office after unfolding to the people his manifesto of what he will do to bring effective change to them. For a corporate leader, it is shareholders of his corporate enterprises, people that reposed their trust in him with their life savings. For the clergy, it is his parishioners that look up to him for moral and spiritual guidance. It is safe to say that a leader worth his salt will keep his work to his primary constituency. To do otherwise, as always done in Nigeria by some leaders, is dishonest and below the dignity of man. Nigeria is certainly in desperate need of good leadership, for the constant change in the leadership in our history clearly testifies that we are a people groping in the dark, searching and yearning for a more reliable form of government and effective change overall. The question shouldn’t be ‘where’ the change is; it should be ‘what’ the change is. So what is the change? The answer is… ‘For every single one of us in this nation to commit ourselves to make a change for the better! As Mahatma Gandhi said, every single one of us in this country has a responsibility to be the change we wish to see in Nigeria and hence must task our leaders to uphold it!’

Self-sacrifice should form primarily a duty which must be carried out in fear and trembling. “Self-sacrificed in the art of leadership is perhaps most powerful in attracting loyal followership. Leadership is by example and not just by tenets. Hence, human leadership is delegated responsibilities used with a high sense of humility on God’s behalf. The quality is always one who is willing not only to be selfless but to die for his subordinates. In summary, a leader must recognize the essence of the way of the leader and follow its meaning diligently, because leadership is not certainly for all comers as it is obvious in Nigeria. In China, Leaders focus more on responsibilities with full awareness of the varied qualities that are needed for a good job than devoting times on right and benefits to be derived. For leadership is a most powerful force to be entrusted to devoted and responsible men, since it affects everyday lives.The way our history will be written depends upon the extent to which and the manner in which we - leaders and the people - strive to shape our future and the effective change we need as Nigerians from our leaders. There is a lot of unknown in the society. But since we cannot foresee what the remote future has in store for us, we can only hope for a better tomorrow. Nigeria, the world is still watching! Thank You.


References

Effective change definition retrieved from www.changefirst.com
Leadership Definition retrieved from http://en.m.wikipedia.com/wiki/leadership
The change Nigeria needs 1 retrieved from www.guardian.ng/opinion/the-change-nigeria-needs-1/
Victor Dike, Leadership retrieved from www.afbis/analysis/leadership.html
What leader must do to bring change Nigeria needs retrieved from www.dailytrust.com.ng/monday/index.php1/news/14884

Djhack1 up next...we are impatiently waiting for ur argument.

BNiceone from djhack1

EDUNTEE
NeonDee
IamDejman
Timidelaw
Horlapelumi

Are u guys ready??

All set we are good to go.


Fattbabakay

7:30 – 8:30pm – Rebuttals - A debater takes on his opponent’s view, puncturing his or her points - This the debater does by quoting the said comment and then countering it with his or her own views.




Djhack1
TopeQs
IamDejman
EDUNTEE

Fynestboi:
-- Debaters (TopeQs Djhack1 Timidelaw horlapelumi Dejman) and judges (Isacolukay KingTom Naijadeyhia ) registers presence

Present sir

IamDejman and Eduntee no rebuttal?

TopeQs and Djhack1 no rebuttal?

Hot arguments from our debaters, waiting for others to turnup....

I believe our judges are very much around...



Isacolukay
Naijadeyhia
KingTom

Fynestboi:
I believe our judges are very much around...



Isacolukay
Naijadeyhia
KingTom

perusing perusing and perusing sir some very hot arguments here I must Say

[quote author=IamDejman post=43536307]“I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.” Extract from the Speech delivered by President Muhammad Buhari on the occasion of the 55th Independence Day of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Good day Ladies and Gentlemen, I am IamDejman representing Lagos state university and here to stand on the motion that for a Nigeria to have an effective change, it is the sole responsibility of the followers. When we say an effective change, we stand to say that it means the act or process through which something becomes different successfully. I Change is ubiquitous in any society, particularly in that which strives to fulfill human needs. And it takes a committed followers to accomplish a propitious change in a society.

Overtime, Nigeria has undergone four different democratic elections and yet the country cannot pinpoint a significant thing in its environs. Before the year 1999, we were classified with Countries like China, Singapore but today reverse is the case as these countries and more have left us behind and today our nation is in a state of hullabaloo.

For 16 years, we were under the democratic reign of the People's Democratic Party and we had President Olusegun Obansanjo from 1999-2007, President Musa Yar’dua from 2007-2010 and the so called Ineffectual Buffoon (The Economist) President Ebele Jonathan from 2010-2015. During the lavish democratic reign of President Ebele Jonathan, a party emerged called the All Progressive Congress which brought out a mind blowing campaign slogan – CHANGE. They preached, campaigned and brainwashed Nigerians with the Change mantra and they had their candidates elected across board majorly. They became the majority and ruling party. But almost a year, ***Nigerians still search for an effective change. The mistake we did was believe that our leaders are solely responsible for out effective change. We thought for Our own great and dear country to witness effective change, we just have to be lazy and our leaders will deal with that. NO!
****

We have to admit, Yes we need an effective change but we must recognize that we followers must determine that. A good leader is one with followers because the followers are those who must take charge and make sure for the implementation of the brilliant idea presented by the Followers. Followers of Jesus Christ allowed Christianity a household religion today, Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) never single handedly promoted Islam but his followers made sure the religion spread as much as it can. Back to our current President Buhari, when he was elected as the nominee of the All progressive Congress, his followers made sure the change mantra was adequately preached and campaigned for and today he is President and garnered 15 million plus votes just because he had good followers.

Today, I speak to the follower in Nigeria reading this today, I speak to the common man that believes Nigeria is getting harder to survive in; for us to have an effective change in our Country, we need you. The leaders will try to make life changing policies, we need you to follow and implement them. Our leaders will formulate laws, rules and regulations for the upliftment of the security situations of our country , if we refuse to obey and follow it then the leader have failed. The leaders are nothing without the followers and the followers are responsible for the success of the leaders.

To lead a multi-ethnic society while remaining committed to democratic principles or norms is an uphill task. This is because incorporating several ethnic groups into a single political system means bringing together the basic problem of ethnic conflict as well. This is why it is the sole responsibility of the followers to determine e the stay of effective change in Nigeria.
Nigeria is a nation of many ethnic and religious groups; and for this, governing the society is an enormous job. Given the presence of politically assertive ethnic groups, the stability and survival of the present democratic politics depends on how the followers react and how they choose to be during the reign of such leader. Truly, followers are solely responsible for an effective change in Nigeria.


great work sir

please your ending statement says followers are solely responsible for an effective change, my question is what is the followers vote for a person the thought would bring the change they need and turn around to be a failure who is to blame

Djhack1:
great work sir

please your ending statement says followers are solely responsible for an effective change, my question is what is the followers vote for a person the thought would bring the change they need and turn around to be a failure who is to blame

Well sire, the reason followers are responsible for an effective change is because a follower can either vote in a good leader or a so called bad leader.

Now, when followers vote in a bad leader, the followers are responsible for that and if they still yearn for effective change and want it, they can impeach such a person or recall such a person. At the end, it still boils down to the followers to determine the fate of the society. Thanks

IamDejman:
“I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.” Extract from the Speech delivered by President Muhammad Buhari on the occasion of the 55th Independence Day of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Good day Ladies and Gentlemen, I am IamDejman representing Lagos state university and here to stand on the motion that for a Nigeria to have an effective change, it is the sole responsibility of the followers. When we say an effective change, we stand to say that it means the act or process through which something becomes different successfully. I Change is ubiquitous in any society, particularly in that which strives to fulfill human needs. And it takes a committed followers to accomplish a propitious change in a society.

Overtime, Nigeria has undergone four different democratic elections and yet the country cannot pinpoint a significant thing in its environs. Before the year 1999, we were classified with Countries like China, Singapore but today reverse is the case as these countries and more have left us behind and today our nation is in a state of hullabaloo.

For 16 years, we were under the democratic reign of the People's Democratic Party and we had President Olusegun Obansanjo from 1999-2007, President Musa Yar’dua from 2007-2010 and the so called Ineffectual Buffoon (The Economist) President Ebele Jonathan from 2010-2015. During the lavish democratic reign of President Ebele Jonathan, a party emerged called the All Progressive Congress which brought out a mind blowing campaign slogan – CHANGE. They preached, campaigned and brainwashed Nigerians with the Change mantra and they had their candidates elected across board majorly. They became the majority and ruling party. But almost a year, Nigerians still search for an effective change. The mistake we did was believe that our leaders are solely responsible for out effective change. We thought for Our own great and dear country to witness effective change, we just have to be lazy and our leaders will deal with that. NO!

We have to admit, Yes we need an effective change but we must recognize that we followers must determine that. A good leader is one with followers because the followers are those who must take charge and make sure for the implementation of the brilliant idea presented by the Followers. Followers of Jesus Christ allowed Christianity a household religion today, Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.) never single handedly promoted Islam but his followers made sure the religion spread as much as it can. Back to our current President Buhari, when he was elected as the nominee of the All progressive Congress, his followers made sure the change mantra was adequately preached and campaigned for and today he is President and garnered 15 million plus votes just because he had good followers.

Today, I speak to the follower in Nigeria reading this today, I speak to the common man that believes Nigeria is getting harder to survive in; for us to have an effective change in our Country, we need you. The leaders will try to make life changing policies, we need you to follow and implement them. Our leaders will formulate laws, rules and regulations for the upliftment of the security situations of our country , if we refuse to obey and follow it then the leader have failed. The leaders are nothing without the followers and the followers are responsible for the success of the leaders.

if the followers are responsible for the success of the leader, why do they still turn to blame the leader for failing shouldn't they accept responsibility....

TopeQs:


if the followers are responsible for the success of the leader, why do they still turn to blame the leader for failing shouldn't they accept responsibility....

There our problem lies, followers fail to recognize their power. They fail to know that, truly, the change we need can only happen through them.

Followers need to step up their game, and know that they, only, have the produce the effective change Nigeria needs

IamDejman:


Well sire, the reason followers are responsible for an effective change is because a follower can either vote in a good leader or a so called bad leader.

Now, when followers vote in a bad leader, the followers are responsible for that and if they still yearn for effective change and want it, they can impeach such a person or recall such a person. At the end, it still boils down to the followers to determine the fate of the society. Thanks

thank you sir for the reply

coming down to Africa and Zimbabwe where the president is holding down the forth tight as a leash even though the followers are tired of his regime...will the followers have to bear with the leader they voted in??

rephrased

IamDejman:


There our problem lies, followers fail to recognize their power. They fail to know that, truly, the change we need can only happen through them.

Followers need to step up their game, and know that they, only, have the produce the effective change Nigeria needs

see, the leaders are responsible for the change because they themselves decided to run for a stake in power, they just need to convince the followers to trust in them...

it wasn't the followers who dragged buhari from his home to run for president.....was it?

Djhack1:



thank you sir for the reply

coming down to Africa and Zimbabwe where the president is holding down the forth tight as a leash even though the followers are tired of his regime...the followers have to bear with the leader the voted in..you agree?

and if the want effective change they have to come together under a leader the strongly believe will give them change to remove the existing one as u said right?

Please sire, I couldn't understand the question? Can you please rephrase?

TopeQs:


see, the leaders are responsible for the change because they themselves decided to run for a stake in power, they just need to convince the followers to trust in them...

it wasn't the followers who dragged buhari from his home to run for president.....was it?

The followers encouraged him to contest. The followers campaigned heavily for him. For Buhari to survive and excel, he needs the help of his followers.

no Matter the plan he tries to execute, if the followers are not in support then it will go to the bin early

KingTom:
perusing perusing and perusing sir some very hot arguments here I must Say

OK sir

isacolukay:


Present sir

Welcome sir.

IamDejman:


The followers encouraged him to contest. The followers campaigned heavily for him. For Buhari to survive and excel, he needs the help of his followers.

no Matter the plan he tries to execute, if the followers are not in support then it will go to the bin early

I believe the followers bought into his theory and manifesto and they believed in him as a man of his word who is ready to take RESPONSIBILITY for whatever change he has to offer them and not blaming his failure on other people.....

in this line, it still brings us to the fact that leaders are responsible for change...

Judges any questions for them?



KingTom
Naijadeyhia
Isacolukay

IamDejman brilliant essay now I want to re echo Djhack1 points in Zimbabwe or another country where they have 'life leaders' can you still blame the followers? What I mean is that in dictatorships and leadership where most followers don't get a chance to exercise their voting franchise, will it still be the followers cross to bear?

KingTom:
IamDejman brilliant essay now I want to re echo Djhack1 points in Zimbabwe or another country where they have 'life leaders' can you still blame the followers? What I mean is that in dictatorships and leadership where most followers don't get a chance to exercise their voting franchise, will it still be the followers cross to bear?

Before answering the question, we must remember that our topic today focuses on Nigeria and we must respect that

There are ways but I will highlight one. Egypt and Libya. The followers brought about effective change at the end

It's is imperative to state that, be that as it may in Zimbabwe or any other country such occurrence is happening, then it high time they come to the realisation that REVOLUTION Is WHAT THEY NEED TO EMBARK ON so that this tyrant called leaders can be ejected from office, what is the use of a dictator who has no plan for his people. If the people of this country are so ready for change then they need to come together this would make them a stronger force "United we stand divided we fall"

Audience you can as well ask your questions...

Eduntee, in your exposition, u wrote and I quote,

"But there have been instances of movements that have been spearheaded by followers."

Does spearheading a movement not make you a leader?
Is that not in antagonistics with your stand on the debate?

Sir, I beg to you this question, if you have a leader that treats you badly how do you intend to react?

In answering your questions sir. The topic bothers on the effective change we need in Nigeria, hence if a tyrant claims to be a leader and as a matter of fact we can't have two leader in a single position (we can't have two president in Nigeria) it follows therefore that someone one who is a follower of the bad leader has to take that bold step to challenge the bad decision of this leader hence this could be inform of a revolution.

Sir be properly guided the mere fact that I challenge the bad authority of my leader when others decide to be mute about this those not necessarily make me a leader also because the person am even challenging still remains my boss and the leader all am just doing is allowing him to know that what is doing is unethical, hence if he decides to change, that means as a follower have been to influence him to reverse his position which normally would be arbitrary

Judges you can start sending across your result if ready




To Nairalandinterschooldebate@gmail.com



KingTom
Naijadeyhia
Isacolukay