From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Archbishop of Kaduna Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Timothy Yahaya, has said that leadership is about sacrificing for the wellbeing of the People.
He said this while speaking during his celebration of 25 years in Ministry and marriage to Dr Mrs Esther Yahaya Timothy in Kaduna, Monday.
Archbishop Yahaya said that leadership without sacrifice is not leadership because when one is a leader, making sacrifices for the people becomes a necessity.
According to him, no leader should go about enjoying themselves because the main reason for the office of a leader is to tackle issues bothering the followers.
He added that leaders should not be greedy by stealing from available resources but strive to ensure that the resources are utilized to make followers live comfortably.
He also advised leaders not to betray the trust people have in them by leading in truth, sincerity, and humility.
“Today I rejoice over what God has done in my life. I ordained a Priest 25 years ago and married 25 years ago, and I’m here, celebrating what the Lord has done in our lives.
“What I have learned as a leader in these 25 years is that leaders provide goods and services for their followers. Leaders don’t complain about problems but bring solutions to them. The reason for a leader is to solve problems.
“I understood over the years that, Leadership without sacrifice is not leadership cause when you are a leader, you make sacrifices for the people. You don’t go enjoying yourself while your people are suffering.
“Another thing I understand in leadership is that you must be humble among your people, and that is when you will know the pain, the joy,y, and trouble of the people.
“When they are celebrating, you celebrate with them, when they are in anguish, you will be in anguish with them.
“Finally, I want to say that there must be trust between the leader and the followers cause no matter how noble your agenda is, people will not see any nobility in it if they don’t trust you.
“So as I celebrate 25 years of leadership today, I want to enjoin leaders to understand that leadership is all about trust
“We must not breach the trust of the people, we must not prey on the resources of the people. We must be seen doing only what is right,” he said.
