A former Grand Kadi of Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Salihu Muhammad, has attributed the failure of leadership to poor selection process.
He said this had accounted for embezzlement, injustice and self centeredness being experienced in the society.
Muhammad, who spoke through a Kadi in the state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Masu’d Oniye, stated this at the maiden lecture of Knowledge Is Light Islamic Foundation (KILIF) held in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Muhammad ‘s lecture has “Responsible Leadership and Followership” as its theme.
The retired jurist identified the adverse effects of recruiting irresponsible leaders as collapse of institutions and rise in crimes among others.
“One of the things that make a leader to be irresponsible or that account for poor leadership is lack of fear of God. Failure of leadership is usually a product of poor system of selection or election, poor planning, diversion and misappropriation of public or common resources, embezzlement, injustice, favouritism, self centeredness, tribalism/racism and of course the bane of all corruption .
“While the effects or consequence of a leader not being responsible are not exhaustive and can include breakdown of law and order, indiscipline (in the private and public), lack of security, hunger, serious health challenges, collapse of institutions, no more sympathy, empathy and care for others, killing, brigandage, rampancy in commission of crime, usurpation of others’ property and wealth, immorality,” he said.
Muhammad was of the view that governance and religion are inseparable contrary to the belief in some quarters that the latter and governance are poles apart.
He stated that a leader, who is more knowledgeable in his religion, would be rightly guided while administering the affairs of his people and become conscious of the hereafter in his undertakings.
The state Grand Kadi, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, noted that the theme of the lecture was timely and relevant not just for the immediate society but the whole world, adding that “it inspired us on the role of leadership and followership.”
The chairman, Board of Trustees of KILIF, Arc. Mohammed Faworaja, said the foundation was established to propagate knowledge and inspire good leadership.
