Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has challenged leaders at all levels to lead a life of contentment, accountability, integrity and selflessness to provide dividends of democracy to their people.

Mr Sule gave the charge while delivering a lecture on Thursday at the 13th anniversary and awards ceremony of Verbatim Magazine at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

The lecture had as its theme: “Changing Times and Challenge of Leadership in Nigeria: Candid Views of an Uncommon Patriot.”

He noted that leadership quality in Nigeria continued to decline despite  the legacies left by the forefathers, as captured by Chinua Achebe in his book “The Trouble with Nigeria.”

According to Mr Sule, leadership is all about problem-solving, providing solutions and benefits to the led.

“It is about understanding your environment, understanding the solution that the people need, it is being accountable, transparent, having integrity and a character that aligns with the wishes of the people,” he said.

The governor added that a good leader should be fair and, provide inclusiveness, and distribute projects and appointments evenly.

“He must be courageous, have contentment, accept constructive criticism, manage diversities with the ability to learn from mistakes, while accepting the assets and liabilities of his office,” he said.

Mr Sule said he entered politics to contribute to the development of Nasarawa State and listed his numerous contributions to the growth of the state.

“We came into Nasarawa with an idea and a focus, knowing what to do collectively as a team; we have done that, and the state is better than we met it. This is what leadership is all about,” he said.

Dantani, registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), said a leader should be focused and determined to solve peoples’ problems.

“Leadership is all about solving problems. It is all about understanding the people you are leading and their needs.

“All that Nigerian leaders need to do is to be more transparent and focused on identifying the needs of Nigerians in order to address them.

“They must give direction to the people and the society at large as far as development and progress are concerned,” he said.

In his goodwill, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, said effective leadership demands synergy among stakeholders.

(NAN)