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Mentors Are Life Savers By Henry Ukazu

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This is saying a warm, healthy, goodwill greetings to my friends all over the world. I regard each and every one of you as the real MVP’s (Most Valuable Players). You are the reason I do what I do.

It’s on this note I wish to inform you that you are my mentors. I have learnt a lot from my you, my friends. This is because you correct me when I make mistakes. Bill Gate was definitely right when he said, “Your most unhappy customer are your greatest source of learning”. That’s why I say my friends and readers of my column are my mentors.

According to Henry Ford, “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me”.  I guess you may have heard of the saying, if you are the only smart person in the room, leave the room. You need people to learn from daily if you really want to progress in addition to making impactful difference. That’s why I’m of the humble opinion that mentors are life savers.

In the course of this discussion, we shall be looking at how mentors can shape one’s life; empower him, and make him a leader subject to his industry and set objective. We shall also be looking at the adverse effects of mentorships and its relativity to other factors.

You cannot underscore the importance of mentorship in the life of a progressive minded being. I can proudly say that I am a product of mentorship. Mentors have really shaped me to be a better person. My mentors have created so many opportunities for me. I cannot overestimate the role of mentorship in my life. They are priceless. I have always told my friends, I am not smart, rather I am smart by association. Let me take you on a brief trajectory path on my life.  I arrived in USA ten years ago and joined the Nigerian Lawyers Association as a graduate student in New York Law School. Later on an opportunity became available to serve in the association and one of my mentor who is a Judge me inspired to contest for the position of Public Relations Secretary in the association which I won by God’s grace and that position opened so many doors of opportunity for me. It was the Nigerian Lawyers Association that gave me the opportunity of meeting one of my most influential mentors Chief Dele Momodu who is the CEO Ovation Media Group and former presidential candidate in Nigeria. Apart from writing the Foreword to my book which has opened doors of opportunity for me, Chief Dele Momodu has been so resourceful to me. I’m deeply humbled to write on his online newspapers (Boss Newspapers) which is the biggest online newspaper in Nigeria. I can go on and on, but as the sage will say a word is enough for the wise.

 

Let’s go into the meat of the discussion. Who is a mentor? In lay man’s term, a mentor can be defined as a person or teacher who is very knowledgeable and experienced in a particular area of life. You can even say a mentor is a trusted adviser. Either way you define it, a mentor is a person who can either guide or inspire you for greatness.  A mentor must not necessary be older than you, he or she can be younger than you provided you are learning from the person. Mentors come in different shapes and sizes. The question now is, who needs a mentor, what are the roles of mentors? What are the characteristics of a mentor?

Before you choose a mentor must be sure of what you need in life and the role the person will play in your life. Isn’t it true that the journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step in the right direction? You must know where you are headed. In a nutshell, you must know your purpose in life. You can’t just wake up in the morning and say you need Mr. A or Mr. B just because he or she has money or famous. You must know the value and change in your life you want to see. I liken mentors as leaders. As mentioned earlier, people follow different people for different reasons. I will try and do justice to this situations which can be called pyramid of leadership:

  • Position: People follow you because they have a right to follow you which can be as a result of the position you occupy.
  • Permission: People follow you because you allow them. For example in relationships cases when you decide to allow people to build relationships with you.
  • Production: People follow you because of what you have done for the organization or association. This is result oriented.
  • People Development: People follow you because of what you have done for them
  • Pinnacle: People follow you because of whom you are or what you represent. The question now is where do you belong?

Mentors are very resourceful and one has to be very tactical when finding a mentor. You may be wondering how I do engage or find mentor?  Every case is different, but being strategic is very important. These are some ideas to finding a mentor.

First, define the mission, vision and objectives you intend to accomplish, learn or reach. For example, let’s say you have a sector/job type in mind. Do some research in the world of social media, online, podcast, conferences, YouTube and LinkedIn. You can even ask friends or colleagues via networking. You have to be specific enough because the more specific you are, the better. You have to know who the ‘influencers’ are. These ‘influencers’ are the people you will like to learn form. It’s imperative to learn about your mentor. Read as much information you can find about them.  Pay particular attention about what they did to get to where they are, their mistakes, strengths and trajectory journey. This will give you a general mental picture about them.  Also, see the value they can get from you. Some people feel they are being abused by their mentors due to the kind of assignment or deadline they are given, forgetting the words of Thomas Edison opportunity is missed by people because it is dressed in overalls and it looks like work’. Mentors like productive mentees.

You will agree with me that nobody has monopoly of knowledge. Therefore, the relationship between a mentor and mentee should not be parasitic, rather it should be a symbiotic one. Finally, define your strategy. How will you connect with that mentor? You can attend conferences, meet ups and so forth. You should bear in mind, there is no short cut to any place worthy going. You have to pay the price by learning the ropes. It’s quite unfortunate a lot people want to beat the gun by earning without learning. You have to learn first before you earn. How do you learn? You can volunteer your time, money or whatever you may have for your mentor. You just never know the opportunity that might be available to you. Some narcissistic minds believe once they are successful, they don’t need any advice, forgetting the words of Bill Gate “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people to think they can’t lose”. If mentees have positive minds in addition to being able to think out of the box, they will remember the words of Oprah Winfrey “Luck is preparation meeting opportunity”. Therefore you must be prepared and willing to do the needful in order to get to where you want to be. Let me share some examples; after I published my first book, I reached out to some of my mentors who are President and senior officials in NYC High School and Colleges, and they were not only receptive of my Executive Summary and curriculum, they were kind enough to take up teaching and administrative positions because of my work. The moral of this point is that, I have been able to build a strong relationship with my mentors and the right opportunity became available for me to share my work with them.

To know a good mentor. Look for certain qualities. A mentor should be a person who inspires and motivates you to progress in life. The person ought to display high integrity, honesty and must have a proven track of success. He/she must be able to teach or have expertise in a particular field of interest to you. The person should be able to refer you to available opportunities in addition to introducing to his/her network. A mentor must be strategic, able to solve problems by analyzing issues in addition to being able to innovate. Again, mentors are very resourceful beings. Their advice are priceless. Due to how busy they can be, I will strongly advise you grab every little opportunity they have for you. Though one of my mentor once told me, just like we shouldn’t be too busy for our friends and family, a mentor should never be too busy for his or her mentee. A mentee should always value the time his/her mentor shares with him/her. One of the most important skills a mentee ought to have is listening skills. It’s quite unfortunate many people listen with the intent to respond as opposed to understanding. When you listen you’ll be able to hear unspoken words. According to Bernard Baruch, Most of the successful people I have known are the people who do more listening than talking’.

Mentors helps you to realize your strength, they can facilitate or championing your cause by talking to others about you, they assist in conflict resolution by mitigating where necessary in addition to anchoring for you where necessary.

I found an interesting note on LinkedIn on How to find a mentor. ‘Sadly, people often go about finding a mentor by cold-emailing people who are more or less strangers and asking them this loaded question: ‘Will you be my mentor? . I have a few suggestions for a better strategy: 1. Do your research to know exactly who you are reaching out to. If they work in Sales and you want to go to IT, tell them you know it is not their area and ASK if they know anyone in the department you are interested in who they could introduce you to. 2. Compliment them. Follow their content and like, comment, or share. They will notice and appreciate you and be more inclined to want to help you. 3. Introduce yourself short and sweet. Then you are no longer a stranger. 4. Make a very specific reasonable request, like to answer a few quick business questions. Explain what you are looking for or the area you need advice on. 5. Keep up the dialogue. Keep on and develop the relationship, not only when you want something and then disappear. 6. Be very respectful of their time! If you find a genuine person and approach them the right way, you will quickly land not one but multiple mentors or advisors”.

A great quality of a mentor is their cognitive ability.  Mentors are very creative. They can safely be regarded as eagles because they have deeper insight. There is an African saying, “What an old man sees while sitting on a chair, nor matter how tall a child grows he or she cannot see it”. Talking about cognitive skill, mentors help us to adjust to stress, relationships, goals, work on our purpose etc. by adopting to ever changing situations. Mentors assists us in creating new experience. They share with us some of the valuable lessons or experience they have had in the past which might be relevant to us.  It should be noted that mentors don’t do the work for us, we do the work. They only facilitate the process for you so you don’t have to go through the length of time they had to go through.

Mentorship must not always be a one on one relationship. Just like you can learn by observation, so also you can have online mentors who might not even know you have been understudying and following them. These category are the people I call pinnacle style of mentorship. You develop pivotal relationship with this kind of mentorship.

Once you learn a lot from your mentor, it’s your responsibility to apply what you have learnt in your daily and professional life. You must find a way to use what you have learnt in addition to what you know to create something unique. As mentioned earlier, you have to take the bold step in addition to desiring a change in your life before a mentor can come in. According to the sage, once the student is ready, the master materializes.  According to the former President of America, Barack Obama “change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we are waiting for”. According to Beverley Hills, “There’s no shortcut to any place worth going“.

Though mentors are good, some can have adverse effect. You must continually check on time to know what is happening. Listen to news, read articles, visit them. Some mentors are destiny killers. Some can have you work out yourself in the name of mentor-ship. Some can be wolves in sheep clothing and the list is continues. You simply have to know when to bow or leave as Kenny Rogers said in his track “the gambler”

In conclusion, I will leave you with two great quotes from Paul Ryan and Brian Tracy; According to Paul Ryan ‘Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depend on a community of person working together”. Therefore you cannot attain success alone. You need a mentor and community to shape and guide you. Is it true that it takes a community to train a child? No matter where or what your case or situation might be, never be hard on yourself, just continue working hard and smart, trust me, your works are being noted. You may have had a thousand nos, remember all you need is one yes and the narrative will change. I have been there (called names due to my failures and mistakes) and I can tell you from experience that mentors are very resourceful. Per Brian Tracy: “It doesn’t matter where you are coming from, all that matters is where you are going”

Lastly, do you have a mentor? If yes who is your mentor?

Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He can be reached via henrous@gmail.com

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Opinion

Dupe and Her Clueless, Asinine Independence Declaration

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By Sola Ojewusi

In a display marked by both confusion and a deep lack of political insight, Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, took it upon herself last week to lead a splinter group of agitators into declaring an ill-conceived independence for the Yoruba nation.

Broadcasting from her undisclosed location in the United States, Onitiri-Abiola attempted to sever the bonds that have historically united the Yoruba people with the broader Nigerian state. This declaration, dripping with radical fervor and untethered from the realities of international diplomacy and domestic welfare, stands as a stark and embarrassing contrast to the rich political heritage and organizational sagacity of the Yoruba, who are known for their significant contributions to the Nigerian federation and their sophisticated approach to governance. The act not only undermines the notion of sovereignty as understood and respected within the larger framework of nation-states but also appears as a misguided assault on the cultural and political sensibilities of the Yoruba people, amongst whom is the current President of Nigeria—a position that exemplifies the peak of Yoruba involvement in national leadership.

This act of rebellion was not just a misguided venture into political activism; it was a strategic blunder that threatened to alienate Onitiri-Abiola and her miserable followers from the mainstream Yoruba community and the Nigerian state at large. By choosing to broadcast her declaration from the safety of America, Onitiri has demonstrated a troubling detachment from the on-the-ground realities faced by the people in whose name she purports to speak. The clandestine nature of the declaration, shrouded in secrecy and executed from a foreign land, raises questions about the legitimacy and sincerity of her intentions. It also betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the unity and collective aspirations of the Yoruba people, who, despite various internal disagreements, have largely chosen to pursue their objectives within the democratic and constitutional framework of Nigeria. This rash decision is not only capable of jeopardizing the political stability of the region but has also risked inciting unnecessary conflict, potentially drawing the Yoruba people into a divisive and destructive confrontation with the Nigerian government.

Furthermore, Onitiri’s unilateral declaration could have far-reaching implications beyond the immediate political turmoil. It acts as a dangerous precedent that could inspire similar secessionist movements, undermining national cohesion and destabilizing the delicate ethnic balance that Nigerian leaders have worked hard to maintain. This move, seen as anathema to the principles of unity and collective progress, could isolate the Yoruba community, potentially stripping them of their power to influence national policy and diminish their role in shaping the future of Nigeria. The recklessness of this declaration, therefore, cannot be overstated—it is not only a betrayal of the Yoruba’s storied legacy of diplomacy and political acumen but also a clear and present danger to the stability and unity of the entire Nigerian state. It is imperative for both the Yoruba leadership and the national government to swiftly and decisively address this challenge, reaffirming their commitment to a united Nigeria and discrediting Onitiri’s divisive antics as the political folly they truly represent.

The manifesto, articulated by Onitiri and her cohort, reeks of an asinine understanding of nation-building and the nuanced dynamics of Nigerian federalism. It is a puerile attempt at secession, steeped in anachronistic rhetoric that belongs more to a bygone era of blunt instruments than to our current age of sophisticated governance. This attempt is not only ill-advised but blatantly treasonable, constituting a direct assault on the unity and integrity of the Nigerian state.

It is the height of folly that Onitiri-Abiola, a renegade outlier, would presume to speak for the Yoruba people, whose historical gravitas and intellectual acumen are well-documented and respected across Nigeria and beyond. Her declaration is an affront to the Yoruba’s profound contributions to the fabric of national cohesion and their long-standing investment in the democratic project of Nigeria. This rogue declaration of independence is thus not only unmitigated in its lack of wisdom but also treasonable in its intent. I am sure her purported husband, Chief MKO Abiola would be roiling in his revered grave, regretting the association of his decent name to this obnoxious adventure.

This debacle is further exacerbated by the suspicion that Onitiri-Abiola and her ragtag group of agitators are mere puppets in a larger, more sinister agenda to fragment the unity of the Yoruba race and, by extension, the whole Nigerian federation. The timing of such a declaration, when a son of the Yoruba soil leads the nation, suggests a disturbing endeavor to sow discord and weaken the formidable influence the Yoruba wield in Nigeria’s political sphere.

Indeed, the action by Onitiri’s faction is tantamount to a betrayal of the Yoruba people, an ethnic group known for its sophisticated politicking and strategic acumen. To declare independence in such a frivolous and thoughtless manner is not only a disservice to the Yoruba nation but also an unforgivable insult to the collective intelligence of its people.

In conclusion, the declaration of independence by Dupe Onitiri Abiola and her misguided followers is a quixotic fantasy, a juvenile escapade that flies in the face of political reality and rational thought. It undermines the legitimate aspirations of the Yoruba people and derails the significant progress made in fostering ethnic solidarity and national unity in Nigeria. As such, it should be regarded with the contempt it deserves and dismissed as the clueless, asinine act that it truly is. The Yoruba, and indeed all Nigerians, must stand together against such reckless endangerments to their collective destiny and continue to strive for a harmonious and united Nigeria.

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Opinion

Building Leaders Through Character Management in the 21st Century

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By Tolulope A. Adegoke

“Character builds a nation; it builds kingdoms, empires, families, and the world at large. Character tames freedom so as not to abuse absolute power; it promotes sustainable peace and global development, guaranteeing the handing over of a better world to the coming generation.” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, AmbP-UN, PhD., FIMC, CMS, CIV, MNIM

This article, by implication of its contents, aims to solve the societal menace that has ravaged, hampered, and tampered with the spinal cords of the majority of leaders in the Third World Countries, which has its roots in what I refer to as Untamed Freedom- the root cause of Character failure in humans, corporates, and nations at large. We all must understand that true leadership penetrates into the core aspect of human relations and endeavors, which helps to nurture, build, and deliver the authentic requirement for true and sustainable leadership, and how it affects the economy and politics of nations and the world at large. It focuses on ‘Character’ as the main and authentic key for leadership, how relevant it could be and why and as well how to harness it to building future leaders locally, nationally, and globally for the benefits of mankind. It also delved into the internal affairs of some developing nations in the world and how they have suffered from ineffective leadership practices through unethical conduct. It also looked into how ‘Ethics’ could be said to be a disturbing aspect of leadership and how it has so much affected the majority of the Third World Countries who are having issues in handling sustainable leadership. It therefore concludes with how a nation like Nigeria could enlarge its coasts by judiciously maximizing its endowments through effective ‘Character’ in individual and joint leadership endeavors, thereby enlightening the readers with the facts that character sees people as great ASSETS and not properties. The researcher adopted Historical and Thematic Analysis in carrying out the research.

I ponder so hard on ‘How do we then build leaders of today? I shall focus on the Power of Character (as vital requirement for leadership in Nation Building)’ with the aim of building capacity through greater enlightenment strategy towards fixing today, and as well handing over a better world to coming generations globally. Do you know why leaders are so weak in many developing countries of the world? The reason is that they lack CHARACTER. Lack of character is what makes bad leadership, and bad leadership is what breeds gross mismanagement and misconducts, while misconducts and mismanagement are what destroy or impede national growth and development. Bad leaders are one thing in the day and another thing at night! They make deals that are shady and then look pretty or handsome on the camera. They rule instead of leading; they grind instead of guiding. The Book of Life (Bible) says, God is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever! It also reveals that Night and Day are the same to God! This is a clear indication that God has CHARACTER! And He has given unto us the same thing called CHARACTER! If you are going to be what you were born or created or desired to be (future leaders), then, you must develop the first principle God gave to us (MAN) which is CHARACTER! For us to deliver the present and future, and as well fulfill divine intentions (purpose), we need to study God Himself and His manner of operations and creations according to Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 (NKJV): ‘Let us make Man in Our IMAGE after our likeness: and let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.’ Nothing is therefore IMPOSSIBLE, because I and you came out of God. He is the most authentic leadership example to be followed; He has made us in His IMAGE and LIKENESS to have DOMINION over the works of His Hands. It should be noted that the first gift given to Man by God is IMAGE. Whatever God gives you first is what you need first.

What is IMAGE? Image simply means CHARACTER. God said let Man have my CHARACTER. The most important thing you need to become what you were born to be (which is a LEADER) is CHARACTER. The number one fitness in leaders today is CHARACTER. It is the foundation of leadership! Everybody was born to be a leader, but, we are not meant to rule over people! Leaders lead by examples, guides by principles, and guard by strategies. Leaders lead in specific areas of gifting or expertise. The word CHARACTER means FIXED, PREDICTABLE, STATUE, SET, STABLE, STEADY, DEPENDABLE, READY, and WORK! These are qualities which are unchanging and dependable like the STATUE. For example, have a good look at a STATUE; what is it doing where you put it or fix it? Whatever inflictive words you say to the ‘statue’, it still stands? That is simply CHARACTER! As a leader that you are wired or desired to be, can we trust you to be the same, even in the dark? Are you the same person when no one is watching? What would you do if none would ever find out? What are those things you secretly do on your mobile phones or laptops or on the internet? Are you the same person all the time? Are you the same person even when given freedom or power? When life rains on you, are you the same person? Are you the same person, no matter what people say to you or about you? That is why Third World Countries are having issues handling true and sustainable leadership! What is commonly present in those regions of the world are RULERS not LEADERS, due to lack of CHARACTER.

Requirements of Character for Sustainable Leadership Do you have CHARACTER? When you change location, are you still the same person? LEADERSHIP demands CHARACTER. A reliable example of Character is PRINCIPLE, because it is Constant, it never changes. When you throw something up, it falls down… it is like that everywhere. Leadership requires CONSISTENCY! This is because the will of God never changes. No matter where you go, gravity is constant. Do you have Character? I want you to keep encouraging yourself to keep on developing CHARACTER. As future leaders, who are empowered to save the future, to impacts our world positively, we must be unchanging (i.e consistent on the positive sides) if truly we are going to develop our powerful leadership capacities.

The Disturbing Aspect of Leadership The major disturbing aspect of leadership which most leaders do not consider to develop is ETHICS. Ethics is as a result of character! The power of unethical behavior affects everyone in the community, society, state, nation, and the world at large. Ethics is personal, but it is never private! A few business or political leaders have no ETHICS; they make some unethical moves that can affect everyone. When you violate character, it is a personal decision, but it is not a private issue. You affect all of us. That is why corruption must never be tolerated anytime, because one corrupt person affects everyone. Many developing nations are still struggling with their economy today because of unethical behaviors by a majority which has fully established CORRUPTION as a practice that can now be overlooked, which have crippled the economy of these nations. Many people consider Nigeria a poor nation in spite of all the natural resources she is endowed with (Precious stones, crude oil, very fertile soil among others), because just a few set of people are unethical which affects the entire population in the country. So many investors are currently scared to invest in some part of the developing nations, because there are just a few set of people who would abuse such an investment which has therefore deprived so many people of the opportunities to be employed or t become job owners, just because a few people are unethical. You need to tell your neighbor ‘Do right for my sake’. If great leaders who have been absorbed by history had decided not to do what is right, what do you think would have happened to us today? A few chose to stand right, do right and make right. One decision could have affected the entire world. This is why it is so important for you to have character for the sake of the millions who will look up to you some day! This is why your gift is critical to your generation, but protecting it is much more important. GREED is a matter of CHARACTER. When a research on the major cause of crisis in the world was made, it was said that some set of people had GREED, and greed became a global phenomenon. Discipline powers character for effective leadership. Character and Ethics are national and global security issues. Living right is a global security issue. When you live right, you are simply affecting a lot of people vice-versa.

The Tests and Trials of Leadership Character is developed by ‘testing and trials’. Testing is the development of ETHICS. Character is built or developed through pressure, temptation (trials), and resolve. The credibility of leadership is character! The force of leadership is character! The trust of leadership is character! The legitimacy of leadership is character! The integrity of leadership is character! The reason why people still celebrate Nelson Mandela, Koffi Annan among others is because he was tested and trusted. The reason why Nelson Mandela had so much credibility all over the world is because, while he was alive he went through a test of 25 years in prison, because of a conviction he had, he was just like a statue with this notion: I cannot bend; I am going to jail just like this; I believe in what I see, I believe in a dream, I believe in my convictions, because they are right, I will not compromise, I will not change! Nelson Mandela stayed faithful, he went through the test and trials, and people trusted him. In prison, he was the same, he was beaten mercilessly, he was the same, when he had to cut the rocks with chisel, he was the same, and when he came out of prison he was still the same, and was made the President of South Africa, because he was the same. People could trust him. Even the Dr. Myles Monroe (of blessed memory) once said: ‘People often look at me as if I was born the way I look, but I have been through a lot of things, pressures, scars on my back, tribulations, criticisms, attacks, but I decided, I believe what I believe! I stay steady! The world reads my books, I have been invited to over a hundred and fifty-two nations across the world and they wondered: who is this young man, but I have developed my character through tough times.’ Anybody could begin something, a few people finish! How many things have you begun, how many things have you started managing, how many of it have you finished? Where is your character? Are you steady under pressure? Can you be faithful under being disappointed? Can you still believe when no one is with you? When you have character, you are ready to go alone! Everybody is evil, not me! Everybody is corrupt, not me! Everybody is failing, not me! You have to work by yourself to develop character! Your innate gifts are at the mercy of your character! Your character is more important than your gifts, because without character, you can lose your gifts. That is why God gave Man CHARACTER (His IMAGE) before He gave him DOMINION (Control). Most people lose their provisions because they lost their character! That is why it is important for you to protect yourself by your character (IMAGE), and that is why character (IMAGE) is God’s utmost priority! Character is necessary for DOMINION (Control); it guarantees a tamed-freedom. Character breeds decent followers; then, it builds them into enviable leaders that can ‘MANage’ the natural resources as given them by God, and then, put them into appropriate and decent usage for the good of all mankind. Leadership is simply service to humanity, it is not selfishness, not greed, not abusive…Only character determines and promotes service. Service is followership, help; it is the authentic exhibition of our innate being. Character builds a nation; it builds kingdoms, Empires, family and the world at large. Character tames freedom so as not to abuse absolute power; it promotes sustainable peace and global development that guarantees the handing over of a better world to coming generation. It is a baton which must be passed on and on forever. Life is a mysterious gift given to man by God Almighty embedded with so many hidden treasures… its usage is up to man, but only the deeds of men pollutes it! Character therefore, should not be mistaken for REPUTATION. Reputation has become much more important in the world today than character, and that is a tragedy, because, position has become more important than disposition. As a matter of fact, we need leaders with character, not leaders with personality! Some people have well packaged personality but lack character, yet they are the most celebrated in our world today. Many people are well branded as dignified figures vying for leadership positions, unfortunately, ignorant people rush up to them, vote them in, then the economy and political structure of their countries crashes! Instead of voting the man with CHARACTER (i.e the right IMAGE), which complements leadership to the position of reliable leadership. This is simply the reason why I chose this topic: ‘HOW DO WE BUILD FUTURE LEADERS?’ Which focuses on CHARACTER in Nation Building in today’s world). Nigeria and other developing nations must first of all confront their domestic problems by consolidating their democracy. Democracy is not just the question of holding periodic elections, Important as this is, it means developing a democratic culture underpinned by the rule of law. We must build an egalitarian society with careers opened to talents. It should be possible for any (Nigerian) talent(s) to rise to any position that these talents entitle him or her. We must face the question of the economy squarely. Sixty-three years after independence, we still operate a dependent economy based on export of raw materials and industries of import substitution. We must reverse the process by building industries, particularly agro-based industries in which we have comparative advantage. Nigeria (My Country) can support huge textile and garment industries based on local production of cotton. This is also an industry which the current regime of the World Trade Organization favors for developing countries. The so-called Tiger economies of South East Asia, China and India virtually dominate the textile and garments industry of the world. We ought to be able to compete with Israel and the United States in providing the world with properly packaged tropical fruits. We should cut our tastes for unnecessary luxury goods and use what we can produce. We need to open our market to investments from the outside world. One hopes present policies in this regard would be determinedly pursued. The economy is a major factor to earning respect in the international system and we must do everything to develop our economy. There is no strategy of economic development better than those that have been tried and that have worked in the Western liberal democracies. Any attempt to graft economic development on an authoritarian regime will fail. Character is key factor!

We need to take a look at the example of Botswana (few years ago), when and where honest and liberal government and proper management of national resources and patrimony have led to development. Character sees people as greatest ASSETS and not properties. Value your fellow man greatly, they are the only tool that can stand by your side anytime any day, they shall be the one to continue your leadership processes in the future for the benefits of all as a result of your tremendous impacts on them. The assignment of leaders is not to raise followers, but leaders through greater impacts by living a life of great examples and never to forget to help them with emotional intelligence which is a key factor for leadership inputs and outputs.

Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke is a Distinguished Ambassador For World Peace (AMBP-UN), and an accredited Effective Leadership Management Trainer. He is also a recognized Fellow, of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), and a Certified Management Specialist (CMS), London Graduate School (LGS).

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Opinion

Tinubu, Beware Of Nyesom Wike

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By Richard Akinnola

Impetuous, garrulous, flippant, compulsively and deliriously narcissistic, that succinctly encapsulates the Nyesom Wike persona. A study of the political trajectory of the FCT Minister shows that he is only loyal to himself and nobody else, irrespective of his feigned allegiance. He may kowtow and genuflect before a political leader, as he is currently doing in Abuja but once he can no longer use you, he goes into a fit of incoherent vituperative verbal assault, denigrating his benefactors.

I watched his recent drama on Channels where he was reeling out his achievements as Governor, he said he built a Cancer Centre and named it after “one man”. He also built a Judicial institute and named it after “one woman”. (Pejoratively referring to Dr Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili). His former political leader who he had praised to high heavens is now “one man”. How come his long time political associates suddenly turn enemies? -Rotimi Amaechi, Abiye Sekibo, Celestine Omehia, Austin Opara, Lee Meeba, and now, Dr Peter Odili, among others.

Almost everything that Wike had said in public have been repudiated by him. From the PDP primaries where he vowed to support whosoever emerged as candidate, to his vow not to be minister, to his scathing excoriation of the APC which he likened to a cancerous party, everything Wike supposedly stood for have been repudiated by his fickle mindedness.

Now, he is dancing around PBAT, like an urchin singing nursery rhyme, in his guttural and hoarse voice: “President Tinubu, on your mandate l shall stand”. President Tinubu, Wike is not standing on any mandate. He is standing on his opportunistic position as a minister. Remove him as minister and see if he would still be standing on your mandate. Tomorrow, before the cock crows at night, he would deny you if he is removed as minister and would start lamenting how he supposedly helped you but was used and discarded.

Here was a man who publicly said that Odili saved his political career as Chairman of Obio Akpor local government, leading to his rise in political ascendancy and he used every opportunity to praise and honour Odili and his wife. He followed this up with a public declaration where he was almost swearing thus: “I don’t know the day l would die but l know l would die one day but the truth must be told, any day that l would make Dr Odili and his family cry, may God allow me to go…I would never be alive to make you cry. I will never abandon you and your wife. Where would l have been but for you and your wife? Who am l? From where? My wife would not have been a Magistrate, talk less a Judge but for Mrs Odili. Nobody in this country can make me abandon you and your family. Never. …My wife and l are forever grateful to you for the roles you played in my life”.

This was shown live on CHANNELS. Today, what is Wike doing to the same Odili? Publicly dissing and ridiculing him on same CHANNELS just because Dr Odili refused to queue behind him to decapitate Governor Sim Fubara. As an elder statesman, Odili rather preferred to settle the differences between the duo, which Wike refused. That is Odili’s sin to attract Wike’s “Fatwa”.

He would do same thing to President Tinubu tomorrow if the president does not align with his interest. He doesn’t even understand the dynamics of larger politics to the fact that Odili and PBAT have a long-standing relationship being in the same class of 1999 Governors and that Odili doesn’t even have issues with PBAT. You cannot praise a man to high heavens for eight years in your fit of sycophancy, only to start publicly disrobing him just because he refused to be led by the nose in your ill-conceived political fight with your successor. What that means is that tomorrow, he’ll do same thing to president Tinubu if he doesn’t do his political bidding in Rivers state. That would amount to political self-immolation.

So, if everyone who has assisted you in your political ascendancy are bad, then, something definitely must be wrong with you.

Despite his accomplishments as Governor in terms of project execution which l acknowledge, there is no doubt, Wike has a serious character flaw that only him can cure. But trust me, despite his wealth and “power”, it’s a matter of time, this young man is on his way to political perdition. I pray he doesn’t end that way. Minister Wike, you are an achiever in terms of performance but l pray God grants you wisdom on how to navigate and relate with people who differ from you politically.

Richard Akinnola, a lawyer, activist and public affairs analyst writes from Lagos

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