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The Role of Corp Members in Leadership Development and Aspiration for a Greater

Nigeria

Awarding Winning NYSC Annual Lecture Series Paper, Abuja 2014

ESEIMIEGHAN THANKGOD

eseimieghant@yahoo.com

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Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

Frowning surprise in a country with so much growth potentials, left within the

claws of mediocrity and social crisis for decades. A discuss left in the hands of

these educated and resilient minds is a step in the right direction.

Running through the timelines of history have shown how fraying nations

found their path to success via the government that understood the

indispensability of their youths.

The National Youth Service Corps is an army of committed and

dedicated intellectuals taking the nation to the promise land. Disabusing minds

of the citizenries of past leadership failures, that exemplary leadership is still

very much obtainable. And that, they have shown via their community

development projects that have transformed the lives of the many Nigerians,

especially the common man, from medicine, agriculture, housing and education.

Corp Members in all respect are enforcing a new frontier of leadership for

national development – a speechless but result-oriented pattern of leadership.

Leadership development according to the world largest online research assist,

AN/14B/2597 Wikepedia, “is a set of planned activities that focused on developing the

abilities and attitudes of individuals.”

The role of Corp Members in leadership is undoubted. They are reformed

youths with varying practical and intellectual skills from chosen professions and

proven leadership attitudes subjected to test in projects undertaken by them.

Leadership is an action word. As Donald H. McGannon, puts it,

“Leadership is action, not position. In fighting the fears of a failing nation,

Corp Members are still much committed to undertaking task that endangers

their own lives – patriotism. They show great leadership qualities such as

confidence and integrity in discharge of their various responsibilities even in the

most remote parts of the nation. While most time their pleasure is amputated

they take daring challenge, just to make people around happy. As Myles

Munroe states, “the quality of a leader is measured by the standard of life of his

citizenries.” They give beyond what they get. Leaders sacrifices.

Corp Members identify needs and use resources positively, re-energize

adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth within their communities –

a circle trust and positive influence. Corp Members are yearly unnoticed

producing blue-print for transformational leadership. They are the Secret

Service Agents of national development. Behind the lines of their service line is

saliently written, “Create | Value | Lead.”

AN/14B/2597 Nigeria is born great. She needs to blossom. Shine! And there can never

be great nation without proper leadership. Better an army of hundred sheep led

by a Lion than an army of hundred lions led by a Sheep. “Everything rise and

fall on leadership”, said the world 500 fortune companies’ leadership expert,

John C. Maxwell.

The aspirations and dreams of a greater Nigeria begin with a newly

resolved attitude to consciously shun corruption and a commitment to be social

engineers for sustainable development in our various communities. Be the

change. Lead the change.

Nigeria is blessed beyond poverty, too stable to fall, and too knitted to

divide. Nevertheless as our youths fight as onward soldier to bring back the

dreams of our fathers, let the captains know that, confidence is required to win

the war – a reason to press on.

The change is here. But we must all stand to fight and win this dare as we

pursue a nation that we will be proud to call ours. Desire is not enough. Good

intensions aren’t enough. Success begins with a start. Michael E. Angier,

founder of SuccessNet, says, “Ideas are worthless. Intensions have no power.

Plans are nothing…unless they are followed with actions.”

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In the face of this emerging strides let’s commit in the words of Harold R.

McAlindon, “follow not only where the path may lead. Go instead where there

is no path and leave a trail.”