As we have seen throughout this series, there are many lessons that we can learn from the life of His Excellency, Rt Hon Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governor of Enugu state’s role as both a spiritual and political leader, and try to understand what the role of a the leader is fundamentally about.
Although the initial call Gov Ugwuanyi receive was to lead Enugu state out of political godfatherism and favoritism syndrome, orchestrated by some power mongers and greedy politicians in the state, that task was only the start of his leadership.
Through the political journey of Ndi Enugu in the wilderness of bloodshed, hunger and starvation, Gov Ugwuanyi’s role transcending from being an inspirational, revolutionary leader to leading a reluctant people on a depressing detour of their own making, away from and not toward the better future originally envisioned for them.
As we will see in this article, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was instrumental in acting as a moderator between God and the people of Enugu state in deciding the best approach of governance suitable for them at this material time of her nation history. A time where almost all the states in the federation are steadily burning and being destroyed day by day. A time where insecurity has become the order of the day. A season of bitterness and agony in our nation’s political life. A period of killing and maiming our innocent citizens, and the moment where kidnapping and banditry has become a lucrative business for some unidentified youths.
In the institutionalization of values and practices; and finally, in serving the people by preparing for a successor to lead in his inevitable absence. At the heart of all that Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is constantly doing with the combination of good governance is the recognition that his leadership is not about self- glorification. Instead, it about serving one greater than himself and joining in his work.
Gov Ugwuanyi’s genuine leadership and meditation: to understand the role of a leader, it is important to first establish what lies at the heart of leadership. Through my experience in politics, I have come to see that governor Ugwuanyi’s leadership of kindness, peace and prosperity of the people remain invariably involves the reconciliation of conflicting interests. In the governor’s case of human human management, he has deposited his lifetime not only mediating disputes among the people of Enugu state in particular, Southeast and Nigeria in general, but also acting as a mediator between God and his people.
Initially, of course, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi came into office as governor with a serious mandate to bringing God back to government house. This has never happened before. An example of the governor’s closeness to God was first, recognizing to build a house of worship inside the state seat of power, a chapel of God’s renaissance. For example, when the Catholic Bishops conference was to hold in Nigeria, the clergy men first sought for God’s direction for the safety of the program, going by the uneasy in the Nigerian soil, God directed them to Enugu, the safest state in Nigeria. To this, the catholic Bishops successfully held their national convention and had the governor in attendance and equally were hosted by the governor after a spiritual tour to the new government house chapel of worship, built by his administration for soul winning and glorification of the almighty in its fullness.
Recall, that the most striking example of governor Ugwuanyi as a child of God and a mediator occurred when venomous bird were sent to his office in response to yet another outbreak of rebellion. Again, Gov Ugwuanyi interceded in prayer for the people around him at that moment, and God responded by instructing him to make a silent arrest of the situation. As Christians, no matter what position we occupy in society or in an organization, we are called to practice the ministry of reconciliation. In doing so we are acting out one of the most Central doctrines of our faith. And while this is not the place to expand on all that the ministry of reconciliation involves, it is nevertheless instructive to recognize that mediation have been one of the central tasks of governor Ugwuanyi, the political and spiritual leader, and that in this regard he models leadership in the spirit of Christ.
Gov Ugwuanyi building a religious leadership institution for the future: His Excellency, the governor dealing with issues at hand through mediation is an unavoidable aspect of leadership, it is also critical to prepare for the future if the values, mission, and distinctive character of the organization or community is to be sustained over the long run. Such preparation includes more than succession planning; in particular it includes institutionalizing those values and practices necessary to achieve long run sustainability. This is an Ugwuanyi’s dream and hope for Nigerians, most especially the people of Enugu state. Thus- on instruction from God, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi communicated to Ndi Enugu, the legal, material and procedural/ ceremonial means whereby they were to worship and serve Him and one another by soul lifting and recognition of his almighty supremacy (God).
Let other political leaders emulate governor Ugwuanyi on the true path he has chosen to serve God and humanity through his sincere approach to open governance to all people.
Bibian Anekwe News added: “The respect that leadership must have requires that one’s ethics be without question. A leader not only stays above the line between right and wrong, he stays well clear of the ‘gray areas.'”
Written By
Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku
