“Let your character be superior to the requirements of the job, not vice versa.” When Jesuit Balthazar- Grecian prescribed this ingredient of sustainable leadership, those he might have had in mind could not be only persons employed to work in offices or as foremen in construction projects and other public services.

His focus was also on people elected or appointed to important posts of responsibility. Such responsibilities could be, in municipal councils, parliaments, Governments, or at the helm of a country’s administration. But the secret of survival and sustenance of the employer’s confidence, or that of the electorate is, effective stewardship backed by moral rectitude, and sense of civic responsibility.

In this light, the survival of a system, or an administration, no matter at what level power is wielded depends on what the one at its helm does to ensure not only effective coordination, but also sincere cooperation by those being administered.

This explains why the plaudit for a nation’s political stability and Socio-economic progress goes not only to the leader, but also his compatriots who, after making the right choice at the polls, continue to validate their decision with hard work, and loyalty for effective stewardship.

When Cameroon’s first President, Ahmadou Ahidjo on 4 November 1982 told his compatriots he had decided to step down as the country’s Head of state, the fear in Cameroonians was triggered by a possible emergence of the unknown that could provoke a political tsunami. But they all prayed that if it was God’s will for change, his will would be done for Cameroonian’s to continue to enjoy the peace and political stability they direly cherished.

As President Paul Biya, looks forward to his 28th year in office, come Saturday 6 November 2010, Cameroonian’s thank God that despite the political turbulence ushered in by the reinstatement of multi-party politics, economic crises, the emergence of HIV/AIDS pandemic, disease, and rate of poverty, in most sub-Saharan countries, the situation in Cameroon under the New Deal has not been calamitous.

To sustain this scenario, Cameroonians and their leader face the challenge of working hard to sustain the endowments that contribute to credibility and attract continuous support from compatriots.

While the length of time for which some African leaders have survived in power, is attributed to ballot rigging and other electoral flaws, those whose output is generally appreciated, despite the imperfections of humanity can at least survive a decade, not to talk of two, and above. On Saturday, 6 November 2010 President Biya will be 2 years away from three decades in office, and Should he be given another chance next year, the New Deal leader would have had an opportunity to give more meaning to planned liberalism, rigor, and moral rectitude, with which he inaugurated his administration in 1982.

With this policy of rigor and moralization, followed up by democratic reforms, and decentralization one can hardly doubt that the Biya years have indeed been eventful and rewarding despite a number of challenges.

Within the national territory, President Biya’s crusade against corruption is praise worthy. This commitment to fight corruption and misappropriation of public funds Cameroonians pray, should be continued in spite of difficulties. But a lot more would be achieved if leaders and the led work together to relinquish the trends which make it difficult for them to embrace the changes that ensure, progress, through effective commitment to unity and stewardship.

As the Cameroon leader celebrates his 28th year in office with an avalanche of appeals for him to accept another, term of office, come, 2011, it is the wish of patriotic compatriots that should the President accept another mandate, his focus should be forging ahead with the strategies that make possible an effective fight against poverty, disease, and other societal ills that betray our political maturity, and desire to forge ahead in a new millennium full of developmental challenges.