'm hesitant to criticize women in leadership for the simple reason that women are generally more compassionate leaders than their male counterpart. Additionally, a number of women in our world have distinguished themselves whether we are talking about running a country, a corporation or a charity.

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Not too long ago, we can remember Margaret Thatcher, the iron lady of Britain, late Golden Mier of Israel, Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, late Mother Teresa of India, Martti Ahtisaari of Finland, Mary Robinson of Ireland, Oprah Winfrey, the iconic TV host of America's highest rated "The Oprah Winfrey Show", and currently the founder and president of a $40M Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, Nancy Pelosi, first female Speaker of the United States Congress, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the 66th and first black woman appointed to the United States Secretary of State, Senator (Mrs.) Hilary Clinton, possible first female president of United States not to mention the African super ladies like Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf , current president of Liberia, Dr. (Mrs.) Cecilia Ibru, Managing Director/CEO of Oceanic Bank International Bank Plc and the only woman on the Board of Directors, Dr. (Mrs.) Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, OON, Director-General, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr. (Mrs.) Dora Akunyili, Nigeria's Drug Czar, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, former education minister, madam due process and now VP World bank for Africa and off course the indomitable Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank. These women depict the virtues and essential leadership qualities of biblical superwomen like Esther, Ruth, Deborah and host of other women who led their people and conquered nations.

And so, when the members of House of Representatives selected Chief (Mrs.) Patricia Olubunmi Etteh last June to become Nigeria's first ever female speaker, most of us received the news with elation as well as with some reservation. The joy was based on the fact that Nigeria's democracy is growing. Nigeria is thinking outside the box and coming of age to elect a woman as speaker. In fact I even dreamed the day, we would see Nigeria's first woman president especially at a time when Nigerian women are occupying leadership roles in global stage. The other aspect of my joy was based on the fact I mentioned earlier that women tend to be more compassionate than men in their leadership duties. They would not normally abuse public funds and squander resources unlike their male counterparts. Nevertheless, I also had reservation especially when I read that Madam Etteh used to be a hair dresser and do not have any sound and credible educational qualification. In addition, she was selected as speaker due to the political wrangling and maneuvering of her political godfather, ex-president Obasanjo. At that time, I knew that Nigeria is in for another bumpy ride in this legislative dispensation. Obviously, my fears and reservation have proven to be true. Nigeria's first female speaker has turned out to be a shame of a nation and a disappointment to millions of women around the world. Her elevation to such an enviable leadership position was a tragic mistake. We should not have elevated a woman who was unprepared morally and who lacked self-discipline and wise counsel.

So, when Mrs. Etteh finally resigned last week amid a monumental scandal of N628 million she approved without due process to renovate her official residence and that of her deputy, Alhaji Babangida Nguroje, it proved the simple truth that when people are elevated to such position of leadership without preparation and discipline, such leader will eventually fail. Examples of such failures abound in our society even within our National Assembly. However, Mrs. Etteh resignation as the speaker did not come easy. Most of you who followed the wrangling and debacle will agree with me that it was a wasted three months in which the so-called honorable members of our hallowed House argued, debated, and even exchanged fists fight. Mrs. Etteh faltered judgment and her blunt refusal to resign led to catastrophic consequences and sudden death of one of their colleagues at the floor of the House. Dr. Aminu Safana, one of the ardent supporters of the embattled speaker succumbed and died of a heart attack during one of the fist fights at the floor of the House. It was also a shameful and unfortunate circumstance in which Hon. Safana died. The men and women at the House could not offer him help. Even a CPR would have resuscitated him while a non-existent emergency ambulance arrives amid bad road and terrible traffic jam. What a nation! I would strongly encourage the new speaker to hire some nurses and medical practitioners and station them at the House to assist in such medical emergencies.

Nevertheless, the scandal divided the house. The integrity group called for Mrs. Etteh resignation but she insisted she was innocent. A panel headed by Hon. David Idoko was setup to probe the award of N628 million. Rightly, the Idoko panel found her guilty. She has violated the rule of law in awarding the contract and therefore failed in her dereliction of constitutional duty. She was asked to step aside yet Nigeria's first madam Speaker did not think it was wise and honorably thing to do. The civil society, writers, journalists and even the Nigerian masses voiced out their frustration in the matter and publicly asked her to go yet she insisted in order to save her speaker-ship and position of authority. The labor union threatened with a strike to protest at the door of the House yet our admirable Madam speaker remained deceived by her ardent supporters and off courses her almighty party, PDP. Their ill advice and evil influence turned her into an unspeakable vile woman. She turned into an enigma and became Nigeria's nightmare. Even with the death of one of her ardent supporters, Dr. Safana, she did not recant or repent. What a Jezebel spirit!

However, in all this, our servant leader president felt not to intervene in the legislative process. I am yet to understand this political correctness of President Yar'udua who claimed to be a stickler to due process , rule of law and transparency, yet one of his principal leaders approves a sum of N628 million to renovate a house without due process, and the president felt his hands are tied to intervene. What's it that tied the hands of the president from even advising the speaker to do the right thing. The president was not asked to intervene in the legislative matters if our failed constitution hindered him from doing so. But at least, he could have privately, boldly and courageously as a stickler to rule of law and due process asked the embattled speaker to quit. Again, this is a classic case to stimulate serious discussion on the 1988 constitution, which was by the way given to us by Nigeria's worst brutal dictator. How is it possible that in the 21st century, with all the brains, intellectuals and bright people we have in and outside of Nigeria, that we continue to govern our nation using late General Abacha's biased constitution? The national assembly must as a matter of urgency reform our polity starting with this half baked constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. Today, all the ex-governors who served under ex-president Obasanjo who were clearly indicted for looting of state treasury and money laundering overseas are still walking and talking freely in Nigeria. None of them is imprisoned yet because of this nonsense immunity in the constitution. When will this country get serious about the business of governance and transparent leadership? The world is watching at a nation that claims to be the giant and recently the heart of Africa and yet our leaders are such a national and international embarrassment.

At a time when Nigerians are cleaning their image abroad and dazzling the world, yet at home, our leaders are a laughing stock. Just in the last few months, Nigerian women are taking over global leadership at the Apex bank. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili is now the VP of World bank for Africa region while Mrs. (Dr). Ngozi-Okonjo Iweala has been appointed MD of World Bank. Last June, the world was stunned as Mr. Rotimi Adebari, became elected as the first black mayor in Ireland while the Junior Eagles dazzled the world winning the under 21 world cup by beating Brazil, Argentina and Germany respectively. Mr. Samuel Okon Peter brings the World Heavyweight Boxing title to Nigerian (WBC) and an 8 - year old Nigerian baby wins world teen beauty pageant. As usual, the international poet and pride of Africa, Dr. Achebe wins the highest US prize on Literature and Nigerian scholars and scientists dazzle Howard, Oxford universities in England and USA respectively. Yet, at home, we let half baked and undisciplined people to continue to direct and govern the affairs of our nation. It is a known fact that intellectuals in most cases do not engage in politics because of the brutality of the game of politics. However, many intellectuals and bright people aside from leading in academic universities have also forcefully engaged in industries, businesses and certain aspects of governance. It is because of the foolishness of our leaders and their colonial mentality that a frail James Watson could make such insane comments about people of color and black race in general. Dr. James Watson forgot to understand that the zenith of power that the U.S. enjoys today were primarily attained due to the hard work, labor and intellectual minds of many people of color that were brought or who came to this free new land since its discovery.

Nigeria's first female speaker and her deputy tended her resignation blaming the press for their failure. Their reasons for resignation again restate their hardened heart and unrepentant spirit. It clearly demonstrates a "smelling revelation of a Jezebel spirit." Sources claimed that ex-president OBJ, PDP Chairman Ahmadu Ali, and PDP leadership may have asked her to resign to avoid being impeached. Moreover, the labor union was prepared to shut things down at the House. The attitude of Mrs. Etteh clearly reveals her legislative inexperience and lack of self-discipline. She exposed her lust for power, folly of pride and poor leadership skills. She was not prepared to lead such a hallowed House. Since the House was constituted nearly six months, the honorable members have not passed any single law. Rather, all they had done was to share committee positions, pay themselves car, house and furniture allowances. Then the honorable and admirable speaker took a birthday bash to the United States where she lavished tax payer's money.

Mrs. Etteh was unprepared. Lack of preparation and self-discipline will always lead to poor leadership. I have often said and written widely that preparation is such a neglected aspect of leadership especially in our country. Effective leadership requires physical, emotional, spiritual and moral preparation in addition to educational and professional qualification. Without adequate training and mentorship, leadership will suffer and be painful. This is exactly what we experienced with our first ever female speaker. She lacked the wisdom, discernment and moral attitude to lead the House of Representatives. In a country where more than 80% of the population earns less than a dollar a day and where millions live under broken huts and thatched houses, Mrs. Etteh should have know that before approving N628 million to renovate her official residence. Who does she think she is? She is a disappointment to millions of women who looked up to her to enact laws and legislations that will provide jobs for their children and save their young ones from the shackles of injustice, hopelessness, joblessness and economic slavery. She is a humiliation to millions of women who looked to her for a compassionate leadership, where most men have failed. Mrs. Etteh is a tragic mistake because she was a product of a nation where the game of politics is still driven by greed, envy, jealousy, corruption, use of threat and innuendos to achieve political power, superficial authority, bad influence and temporal material gain. In a nutshell, Mrs. Etteh is a global embarrassment at a time when Nigerian women are going places according to Patience Akpan-Obong in her recent article. She exposed her in-experience and poor organizational skills. I hope that our society would not hold this tragic leadership experience against other possible talented and visionary women in our society. Undoubtedly, it would be difficult to trust women with such sensitive leadership positions so soon in Nigeria.

Lessons Learned: A few lessons can be learned from the incredulous ordeal at the lower house recently

1. There is still hope for Nigeria's democracy. Nigeria's democracy will evolve.

2. There are still men and women of character, honor and integrity in the House

3. When all Nigerians are united to speak with one voice - morally, powerfully, courageously, there is no evil, we cannot overcome - Third Term Agenda and Mrs. Etteh.

4. People should not be elevated to a position of authority when they are not prepared and qualified professional and educationally.

5. People without fortitude of character and discipline should not be placed in such powerful leadership positions.

6. Without self-discipline and accountability, there is no leadership.

7. Bad leaders always remain rigid and inflexible, insisting upon their own dictates regardless of the situation.

8. Personal and positional power will succumb and fail when people rise up against immorality and abuse of public office.

9. Sometimes, we fail to realize and recognize the true source of our success, elevation and power.

10. God is the true source of power and authority. He elevates, sustains and demotes when we remove our eyes from Him and depend on our abilities, power, connections and influence.

An advice for our new bachelor Speaker

First of all, I congratulate Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole for his selection as new speaker of the House. You are an educated and talented young man. Your selection as speaker is without doubt a leadership shift to a younger generation. I'm amazed that educated, bright and young visionaries like you are in the House, while uneducated, undisciplined and hairdressers are selected as speakers. I know that you are still celebrating, thanking God and obviously still in euphoria for your selection as speaker; however, this is not the time to suddenly realize you never knew you will be flying presidential jet. This is a time to roll down your sleeves and get down with the business of the House. You have a huge task before you. You must not fail; otherwise all the young people of our country will be disappointed in you just like the millions of women in Nigeria today. You must learn from this tragic mistake. A good leader will always learn from past mistake and I do hope that you learn from this tragic leadership mistake. You must develop the moral character and fortitude to lead the House. You must work very hard to restore dignity to the House. You must restore confidence to millions of Nigerians who have lost hope in their elected officials. You must be a wise young man who is skilled in management and conflict resolution. You must work hard to reconcile the aggrieved groups within the House and restore the lost confidence in our elected officials. It is my prayer that future leaders will learn from this mistake and correct the abuse and recklessness in the public service. Leaders are elected to serve, protect and teach followers how to live better lives. Leaders are not elected, appointed or selected to exploit their followers. God despises leaders who exploit others. Wise leaders always learn from failure. I hope Mrs. Etteh learns a lesson from her failure and political demise and that the new speaker will do everything within his power to avoid such mistakes.

God bless Nigeria.

Copyright � 2007 - Center for Supernatural Leadership, Inc.
Dr. C. Kingston Ekeke is the author of Leadership Wisdom - Inspirational Insights for Supernatural Leadership, and founder - Center for Supernatural Leadership, Inc., USA.