MOSES’ LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES IN EXODUS 18:19-22 AS PRACTICED AMONG THE PRE-COLONIAL OGONI PEOPLE

Abstract

The article discusses Moses’ leadership strategies in Exodus 18: 19-22 and how they were practiced among the Ogoni people in the pre-colonial era. There are indications that the people were using the strategies introduced to Moses by Jethro, his father-in-law, who was not a Hebrew but a priest from another nation. The passage is analyzed using historical narratives from ancient scripts and inculturation hermeneutics by Justin Ukpong. The Ogoni monarchs had assistants who were delegated to handle some issues instead of the monarch doing everything all by himself. Findings reveal that Jethro’s advice to Moses in the text shows Moses as the Royal Majesty or the gbenemen tua-tua as the king of the kingdom, the Royal Highness or gbenemene as leader of thousands, the Highness or Mene-bua as the leaders of hundreds, the clan chiefs or mene-bue as leaders of tens, the council of elders, youths, and women leaders as representatives of the chiefs among the Ogoni people as members of fathers’ houses. The research methodology adopted in this study is the historical critical method, as well as the utilization of books, journal, and internet sources. This research reveals a cross-fertilization of ideas between the Ogoni leadership structure and Moses’ strategies in the passage and should be encouraged in the modern societies for proper governance.