Family head was usually the oldest man in the family. His role primarily involved settling family disputes, and because he was believed to control the channel of communication with the all-important ancestors, he commanded great respect and reverence. In some communities the government of chiefs and elders were composed of governing age grade; in some others, the council of elders was made up of the oldest members of particular families. Their role, among others, was to see to the smooth running of the family by providing dedicated and committed leadership. Hence, what Gregory Chukwudi Okafor, “Reinventing Pastoral Servant-Leadership in the Catholic Church”, says about leadership in general captures what it was among the traditional Ekiti people:
Authentic leaders are generally believed to have genuine desire to serve others through their leadership; empowers their followers in order to make a difference; and are as guided by the qualities of the heart, passion, and compassion as they are by the qualities of the mind. It entails leading with heart, collaboration and harmony …show more content…
This was not because there was no noticeable gap between the Haves and have-nots, but because there was integrative and communal spirit in the society then which provided for the integration of the poor into the society; however in this our modern society, the poor people suffer great alienation and degradation because of individualism and nonchalant attitude of those who are blessed with riches” (08/02/2017). Hence, for the realisation of distributive justice in Ekiti State, a serious effort is needed which will take into cognizance the constitutional responsibilities of the government and the solidarity of the well-to-do in the society with the less privileged. However, the less privileged individuals and needy communities must also shun the culture of over dependence, parasitism and indolence; and work towards