By Nnabugwu Chizoba (Sustainability
Accountant/Development Practitioner)
There is no arguing the fact that a strong
relationship exists between the development of an area, its citizens and the
people saddled with the responsibility to govern them. The same holds true for
the leadership of local governments, considered largely as the government that
is closest to the masses.
The above background has briefly underscored the importance
of leadership and the impact on people and the environment. It holds therefore,
that the choice of a leader is something that must be accorded strong
recognition so that, the benefits that accrue from it is enjoyed to the later and
the outcome spread beyond the direct beneficiaries. It is an axiom that, quality
leaders develop their environment, the people and every other resource they find
around them!
Having pointed out, above, though in brief, the
essentials of sound leadership, it is important to identify that it holds a lot
for the social, political, economic and environmental development of Mangu LGA,
and indeed Plateau state and Nigeria in general.
Mangu LGA boasts of a population of 295,000, according
to 2006 Census. This figure, compared to other local government areas in
Plateau state is huge. As a matter of fact, Mangu LG is the 3rd most
populated LGA in Plateau state.
In Nigeria, Mangu local government is among the first
generation of local governments. It was created in 1976, precisely in June. The
LGA was carved out of the defunct Pankshin Division, and covers about 1,587.5sq
meters. In addition to a large population and huge expanse of land, Mangu LGA
is known for her moderate temperature and average rainfall. Presently, a large
percentage of the land in Mangu LGA is yet to be utilized, either for
agriculture or industrial purposes. The temperate weather condition of Mangu LGA,
probably, explains the reason it is dominated by peasant farmers, and others who
are engaged in aquaculture, though in a very low key.
It is important to note here that Mangu LGA has an
extensive agrarian landscape and low hills. There is also overwhelming evidence
that farm produce such as maize, irish potatoes, beans, sorghum, cassava, rice,
hungary rice, known locally as Acha, are widely grown in the LGA. Other produce
from Mangu LGA include millet, cocoyam, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and cabbage,
which are produced in commercial quantities; an indication that the soil is
fertile.
Learning from the early paragraphs of this piece and
drawing from the obvious lessons and benefits of a good leadership structure,
the people of Mangu LGA are through this medium charged to scrutinize very well,
the candidates of political parties being presented to them and to among other
things, determine the capacity and their ability to tap into the abundant human
potential of the Mangu People, and to also exploit the nature endowed resources
of the LGA.
Voting capable candidates into office would be an indication
that the people of Mangu have recognized that the large uncultivated expanse of
land, in the LGA needs urgent attention. It will be sufficient enough evidence and
a demonstration of the peoples understanding that farming in the area is still
at a very crude level. It will also mean that the people of Mangu have accepted
that much needs to be done for the community to benefit massively from the
resource endowment of the area.
The mood in the community, captured by the expressed
and unexpressed feelings of most inhabitants of the LGA, surely, is a subtle
way that the residents adopted to tell the story of the nature of intervention
and the kind of leadership that the area is expecting, through the forthcoming
LG election.
The call here therefore, is for the Mangu People of
Plateau state to rise up en-mass to express their real feelings, and to make a
clear statement through their vote of who they want to stir the affairs of the
LGA, from the local government Council Chairman to the Councilors. To achieve
this they must refuse to be divided along political lines and religious
sentiments by the political class. They must also eschew ethnic acrimony among
themselves.
The coming election is the power, your power, the
Mangu People. Utilize it.
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