Pastor Sam Adeyemi, the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre and a renowned strategic leadership consultant, has identified the absence of sacrifice among Nigerian leaders as a significant obstacle to the country’s progress. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program, Adeyemi emphasized the need for leaders to formulate a comprehensive long-term development plan that garners support from the populace, underlining that meaningful change cannot be achieved in Nigeria within a mere four or eight years.
Adeyemi stressed that the majority of Nigerians aspire to see development in their country, making it imperative for both the citizenry and leaders to work towards shaping Nigeria to emulate the nations to which Nigerians often migrate. He emphasized the necessity of engaging in a nationwide dialogue to establish a collective vision for Nigeria, suggesting that revisiting the 2014 National Conference’s recommendations could be a valuable starting point.
The leadership consultant articulated his concern about the prevailing motivation of leaders, highlighting that the pursuit of personal wealth has taken precedence over the commitment to advancing the nation’s development. Adeyemi expressed his belief that Nigerians are not naive and are primarily driven by survival instincts. He observed that those in leadership positions prioritize making money over contributing to the nation’s growth. This trend, he argued, extends to various aspects of government operations, including contracts issued by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the oversight functions of the National Assembly.
Adeyemi underscored the pivotal role of vision in leadership, emphasizing the need for leaders to convey their vision and goals to the populace. He asserted that an inspiring vision is what motivates people to make sacrifices for the greater good. In conclusion, Adeyemi called on current leaders to shift their focus from personal survival to the welfare of the nation and recognize the importance of sacrifice in driving Nigeria’s development.
