THE IGBO LEADERSHIP SYSTEM

Abstract

This paper attempts to study the concept of leadership, an important phenomenon presented in life as it is very necessary where people live together in any society or community such as the Igboland. Leadership is all about maintenance of laws and orders, formation of rules and regulations, protection of life and property and general development of towns and citizens. The absence of these is anarchy, chaos and underdevelopment. What really determines leadership is not its definition alone but its application in practical situation. Therefore, this study takes a look at different styles, which may be right or wrong. From the findings, we discover that the Igbo system of leadership is built on democratic principles – “Qch[ch[ onye kwuo uche ya”. It further highlights the traits of good and bad leadership, the qualities of leadership; the good ones to be upheld and the bad ones to be avoided, as to make for successful leadership in the dynamic world today.