Power dynamics, socio-economic challenges and reactionary responses in Barclays Ayakoroma’s <i>A Chance to Survive</i>

Abstract

The quest for high-quality leadership structure is the greatest desire of any nation. Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed problematic and undesirable  leadership capabilities within its workforce and people due to capacity to lead and style. Not only do Nigerians encounter socio-economic challenges but  the cognitive disposition of leadership quality has become a worrisome issue as presented by Barclays Ayakoroma in A Chance to Survive. This paper  examines the patterns of dynamism and change of power in terms of utilisation of power as it ought to be, abuse/absurd use of power, activism as  reactionary response to the situational contexts and the causative factors. Development, knowledge of environment and good human resource  management are the attributes of good leadership. This is achievable only in people-centred leadership where the welfare of the masses is of utmost  importance to the leaders. This demands selfless leadership in order to usher in the growth of the society through creating an enabling environment for  survival, people’s empowerment and needs satisfaction amongst others. Economic issues and effects of bad administration are usually gender based. As  such, the social action theory is used as theoretical frameworks to guide our discussion on the subject matter. The contribution of this paper lies in the  bilateral complementarities of the people in leadership cadre and the subjects that are most often ignored by the former.