Why Nigeria must get leadership right to beat insurgency

Nigeria can overcome emerging security challenges if the country gets it right with leadership management particularly at strategic levels of the military, Gbenga Adesina, a majorgeneral and commandant, Nigerian Army School of Signals has said.

His advice follows the unfortunate demise of the chief of army staff, Ibrahim Attahiru and mounting concerns over the rising spate of insecurity in Nigeria.

The bend towards anarchy, expressed in rampant ethnoreligious upheavals, kidnapping for ransom, banditry and terrorism across the country is a huge threat that needs decisive and skilful leader across all tiers of the command, the commandant said.

Delivering a keynote address at a seminar on ‘leadership excellence in a digital era at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA), he urged all officers to play their part in restoring peace and stability.

“Leadership is key and vital to the control of insurgency and other challenges in Nigeria. Most organisations have this. We all know the right thing to do. We need to develop the courage to take decisions, accept responsibility and do the right,” Adesina said.

“Giving up is not an option. We must continue to strive to achieve the transformation desired in the country.”

The training led by the Chattered Institute of Management focused on honing officers’ skills in leadership competencies of the new decades and roles of leaders in digital transformation.