By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Senior Pastor, House on the Rock Church, Minna branch, Pastor PetRock Sadiq, has attributed failures in leadership settings to the inability of those elected and appointed into positions to recognize what their office/duty is all about.
He said there was need for them to understand the office and honour the office with their good deeds and desired patriotism to avoid banana peels associated with such positions.
Pastor Sadiq spoke shortly after the inauguration of new executives of NMCF and his formal unveiling as the Patron of the joint Christian fellowships of Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Military Christian Fellowship (NMCF), Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS) state chapter which took place at the House on the Rock church auditorium, Minna, at the weekend.
He said "The most important thing is that leaders, appointed or elected must strive to get themselves acquainted with is to recognize your office, understand your office and to honour your office".
He added that those who understand what being in positions of authority is all about are doing better because people are looking up to them and such leaders hardly fail.
Pastor Sadiq who read from the various chapters of the Bible to buttress his points that Christians in military and paramilitary should learn from examples shown by soldiers of Christ in the Bible. He stated that it is not just about taking up leadership positions but about understanding the vaccum one is expected to fill and able to perform, according to the expectations of those he/she is holding on trust.
The cleric said it is very important for leaders in government, religious bodies and other segments of the society to understand that, "People respect you because of the position you occupy not you as a person, hence the need to be conscious of how they make use of that singular opportunity given to them by God".
The clergy man however cautioned brethrens never to get intoxicated with the glory and dignity that comes with public position to the point of forgetting that such position of authority is temporal.
He said, "The real power is in the heart, to succeed with the fear of God or to be ruined by the intoxication of temporary powers they had.
"If all leaders at all levels recognize, understand and honour their offices, there will be less mistakes and they will be able to avoid the banana peels associated with such opportunities that comes but once in one's lifetime.
The former state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Matthias Echioda had earlier expressed confidence in Pastor Sadiq for being a true leader by virtue of being bold, selfless, well equipped with the word of God and examplary leadership, having served as trusted 'Shepherd' to many Christian bodies within and beyond Niger state.
The current Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) state chairman, Echioda said Pastor Sadiq has not disappointed in serving as true shepherd by giving it all his deserving attention.
He therefore encouraged the newly inaugurated state executive of the military and paramilitary Christian bodies to live up to what is expected of them, stand out among equals in carrying out their day-to-day official responsibilities with the fear of God.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Correspondent reports that an Inspector, Nanfan Irimiya Sunday is Chairman while Silas Gani is to serve as Secretary of the 13-man executive to manage the affairs of Christian military and paramilitary bodies in the next three years. NNL.
