By Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN

INTRODUCTION

MEANING AND CONCEPT OF INTEGRITY

“Integrity” is the qualifications of being honest and having strong moral principles moral uprightness. It is generally a personal choice to hold oneself to consistent moral and ethical standards.’ Koehn defined integrity as “the compassionate and receptive work of making the self whole and enduringly happy through critically and assiduously separating who we truly are from the false ego.”2 Integrity has also been described as: “adhering to what one believes to be right, especially when a price is paid in foregoing immediate gain.

Significant attention is given to the subject of integrity in law and the conception of law in 20th century philosophy of law and jurisprudence centering in part on the research of Ronald Dworkin as studied in his book, “Law’s Empire.” Dworkin’s position on integrity in law reinforces the conception of justice viewed as fairness

CONCEPT OF INTEGRITY
A value system’s abstraction depth and range of applicable interaction may also function as significant factors in identifying integrity due to their congruence or lack of congruence with observation. A value system may evolve over time,” while retaining integrity, if those who espouse the Integrity: Doing the Right Thing for the Right Reason. McGill-Queen’s University values account for and resolve inconsistencies. An individual’s value system provides a framework within which the individual acts in ways which are consistent and expected.
Integrity can be seen as the state or condition of having such a framework, and acting congruently within the given framework. In personal ethics, this principle requires that one should not act according to any rule that one would not wish to see universally followed. For example, one should not steal unless one would want to live in a world in which everyone was a thief. The philosopher, Immanuel Kant, formally described the principle of universal application in his categorical imperative.

The concept of integrity implies a wholeness, a comprehensive corpus of beliefs, often referred to as a worldview. This concept of wholeness emphasizes honesty and authenticity, requiring that one acts at all times in accordance with the individual’s chosen worldview. McFall, summarizing the essence of this philosophical integrity, believes that personal and literary rendering of personal integrity requires the individual exercising such to: (1) subscribe to some consistent set of principles or commitments and (2), in the face of temptation or challenge, (3) uphold these principles or commitments, (4) for what the agent takes to be the right reasons?

Sampford has suggested that integrity involves asking questions about our values, giving honest and public answers and attempting to live by those answers,” Similarly, Bloskie concluded that integrity simply: “implies a consistency or a coherence between one’s personal beliefs and behaviour” and is the result of a” coherence of values, aims and behaviours. Simons has also described integrity as: “the perceived degree of congruence between the values expressed by words and those expressed through action. So it is theoretically arguable that one
could have integrity and yet not be a good person.

Integrity is one of the top attributes of a great leader. It is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes. It connotes a deep commitment to do the right thing for the right reason, regardless of the circumstances. Choosing the right, regardless of the consequence, is the hallmark of integrity. For instance, Jurkiewicz and Giacalone, dissecting the importance of integrity in leadership as part of a values framework in workplace,
links it to respect, justice, responsibility and trust. Leaders with integrity walk the talk. They are consistent, honest, moral and trustworthy. Their deeds match their words. Leaders without integrity can’t be trusted – by their colleagues or the public and inevitably, that will lead to problems. In the protection of human rights, it is of great importance that leadership of the country trustworthy. They must apply the Constitution and laws dealing with human rights and civil liberties as they have voluntarily sworn to. To this end; Muel Kaptein opines that integrity starts with what politicians should know and what their position entails, since integrity demands knowledge and compliance with both the letter and the spirit of
the written and unwritten rules. So by ‘leading with integrity’, we are talking about behaviours in the leader that seek to yield the most moral outcomes, even when there is a cost (however short-term), to the leader, as a result.

WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?
Human rights are moral principles or norms.” which describe certain standards of human behavior, and are regularly protected as legal rights in municipal and international law. They are commonly understood as inalienable’ “fundamental rights” to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being, and which are “inherent in all human beings” regardless of their nation, location, language, religion, ethnic origin or any other status. They are applicable everywhere and at every time in the sense of being universal and they are egalitarian in the sense of being the same for everyone. They require empathy and the rule of law and impose an obligation on persons to respect the human rights of others.”They should not be taken away except as a result of due process based on specific circumstances for example, human rights may include
freedom from unlawful imprisonment, torture, and execution.

HISTORICAL SOURCES OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Historical sources for human rights can be traced to past documents, particularly Constitution of Medina (622), Al-Risalah al-Huquq (659-713), Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689), the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789), and the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution (1791). Early philosophical sources of the idea of human rights include Francisco Suarez, Hugo Grotius, Samuel Pufendorf, John Locke, and Immanuel Kant. The idea of human rights suggests that “if the public discourse of peacetime global society can be said to have a common moral language, it is that of human rights. Many of the basic ideas that animated the human rights movement developed in the aftermath of the Second World War and the atrocities of The Holocaust culminating in the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Paris by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The United Nations General Assembly in 1948, partly in response to the atrocities of World War II. It is generally viewed as the preeminent statement of international rights and has been identified as being a culmination of centuries of thinking along both secular and religious lives Although the UDHR is a non-binding resolution, it is now considered by some to have acquired the force of international customary law which may be invoked in appropriate circumstances by national and other tribunals. The UDHR urges member nations to promote a number of human, civil, economic and social rights, asserting these rights as part of the “foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” The declaration was the first international legal effort to limit the behaviour of states and press upon them duties to their citizens.

Thought for the week

“One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised”. (Chinua Achebe).

By Prof. Mike Ozekhome

In the serene town of Ugep, nestled in the verdant embrace of Cross River State, Nigeria, the 24th of August, 1986, marked the birth of a remarkable soul, Dr. Essien Ibiang Ewa. His arrival brought joy and jubilation to the home of Professor Ibiang Oden Ewa and Mrs. Patricia Ibiang Ewa, who saw in their youngest child the manifestation of God’s enduring faithfulness. In a world often fraught with uncertainties, Essien was a beacon of love, hope and resilience qualities that he exhibited from his earliest days.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). This biblical promise seemed to resonate through every step of Essien’s life, guiding him with a quiet, yet resolute confidence that the path ahead, though fraught with challenges, was paved with purpose and divine intent.

Essien was the youngest of four children, but from a tender age, he displayed a maturity and sense of responsibility that belied his years. His gentle spirit and loving nature endeared him to everyone around him. As he grew, these qualities only deepened, making him a beloved son, brother and friend. The values of integrity, kindness and a relentless pursuit of knowledge were instilled in him by his parents, who nurtured his inquisitive mind and caring heart.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” said Nelson Mandela; and Essien embodied this truth throughout his life. His post Secondary School academic journey began at the University of Calabar, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and International Studies in 2009. But Essien’s thirst for knowledge was unquenchable, leading him to further his education with a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration in 2015 and a Master’s degree in the same field in 2019.

Education was not merely a pursuit for Essien; it was a calling. He believed, as Aristotle once proclaimed, that “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” He embraced the challenges of his studies, knowing that the knowledge and skills he acquired would empower him to make a meaningful impact on the world. His academic quest led in 2023 to return to his alma mater, the University of Calabar, where he earned a doctorate degree in Public Administration with specialization in Human Resource Management. This uncommon achievement was a loud testament to his dedication, perseverance and a deep belief that education is a lifelong journey of growth and discovery.

Essien’s professional career was equally distinguished. He began as an Administrative Assistant at Harig Oil and Gas in Lagos, where his talents and work ethic quickly became evident. He rose through the ranks in various organizations, ultimately becoming the Business Operations Manager at Medeba Limited in Lagos. Yet, Essien’s restless entrepreneurial spirit yearned for more, leading him to found two successful ventures, Delkor Security and Brug Travels. These companies were more than just business endeavors; they were reflections of Essien’s vision for a better world, a world where security and exploration were accessible to all.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do,” said Steve Jobs, and Essien lived by this creed. His love for his work was evident in every aspect of his life. He approached his businesses with the same passion and dedication that he brought to his studies; and his success was a natural outgrowth of his commitment to excellence.

Yet, beyond his professional achievements, Essien was a man of deep faith and unwavering conviction. His relationship with God was the cornerstone of his life, providing him with the strength to face life’s challenges with grace and resilience. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1-3). This psalm was not just a verse for Essien, it was a way of life. His faith was a constant source of comfort and guidance, leading him through both the valleys and the mountaintops of his journey.

Essien’s battle with sickle cell anemia could have defined him, but instead, it revealed the depth of his character and the strength of his spirit. “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will,” said Mahatma Gandhi; and Essien’s life was a testament to this truth. He faced his condition not with despair, but with determination and an unyielding will to live life to its fullest.

Despite the challenges he faced, Essien never wavered in his commitment to his family, his community and his faith. In 2022, he co-founded The Youth Lobby Group, an organization dedicated to encouraging greater youth involvement in the governance of Cross River State. This endeavor was born out of Essien’s deep belief that young people are the driving force behind societal change. “The youth are the hope of our future,” said Jose Rizal and Essien dedicated himself to empowering the next generation to take an active role in shaping their communities and their nation.
Essien’s passion for youth empowerment was matched only by his love for his family. He was a devoted husband to Peace Sable Ekpenyong and a loving father to their son, Kebe. His family was his greatest source of joy and pride, and he took every opportunity to express his love and support for them. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,” (Proverbs 13:22); and while Essien’s life may have been shorter than many, the inheritance he left behind of love, wisdom and a legacy of service is immeasurable.

His life was a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of love, faith, and service. He had a deep love for music, reading, and building meaningful relationships. His sociable nature and warm personality made him a beloved figure among his peers. “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” wrote John Donne. Essien lived this truth by cultivating deep and lasting relationships with those around him.

Essien’s journey on this earth came to a peaceful end on August 7, 2024, just weeks before his 38th birthday. His passing is a great loss to his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched. Yet, even in death, his legacy lives on. A legacy of love, service, and an indomitable spirit that will continue to inspire future generations. “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die,” wrote Thomas Campbell. Essien will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

As we reflect on Essien’s life, we are reminded of the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Essien stood tall in the face of adversity, his faith unwavering, his love unfaltering. He was a man who lived his life with purpose, guided by the principles of integrity, kindness and service.

In the end, Essien’s life is a testament to the words of the Apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Essien fought the good fight with grace and dignity, finishing his race with a legacy that will endure for generations to come. His life serves as an example to us all of what it means to live with faith, love, and an indomitable spirit.

As we say our final goodbyes to Dr. Essien Ibiang Ewa, we do so with heavy hearts, but also with a profound sense of gratitude for the life he lived. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a mentor, a friend, and a leader. He was a man of faith, a man of vision and a man of action. His journey may have ended, but his story will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Well done, good and faithful servant,” we can imagine these words being spoken to Essien as he enters into his eternal rest. He has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Now, he rests in the arms of his Saviour, where there is no more pain, no more sickle cell, no more suffering, and no more tears.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2). Essien’s place is now prepared, and while he is no longer with us in body, his spirit remains, a shining light that will continue to guide and inspire those he leaves behind.

Dr. Essien Ibiang Ewa, your life was a gift to all who knew you, and your legacy will continue to inspire and uplift those who follow in your footsteps. You have shown us what it means to live a life of purpose, faith, and love, and for that, we are eternally grateful. May your soul rest in perfect peace, and may your memory be a blessing to us all, amen.

By Mike Ozekhome

INTRODUCTION

In the last two parts of this treatise, we started by taking a look at the meaning of vanity of life and the ephemerality of power taking a leap from historical sketches and nuggets. Later we explored power generally and man’s dominion over it, political power, the abuse of power – noting the ephemerality of life itself. We also posed the question: ‘what is power?’. And then observed that God is the supreme power Who controls men of power, today, we shall continue and conclude with nothing lasts forever. Read on.

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER

Nothing lasts forever, even this life is vanity upon vanity. [Ecclesiastes 1:2 – 8 KJV]. In William Shakespeare’s epic in Macbeth, Macbeth himself tells, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (Act V, Scene V).

But let us not forget the seriousness of this topic; for beneath the veneer of my foregoing satire lies my profound examination of the fleeting nature of power. In a country brimming with sundry potentials, how do we navigate the tumultuous waters of leadership? How do we separate the genuine statesmen from the artificial temporary showmen? And what does it mean for a nation like Nigeria when ephemeral power eventually slips through the hands of those entrusted with its stewardship?

Power to these sit-tight leaders is like opium; it intoxicates; power is an aphrodisiac; an intoxicating liquor. It bemuses. It gives one the delusional ‘Dutch courage’. It can either make or mar the holder. It forces reason to vacate its seat. It is not certain – but – evanescent, fleeting, transitory, volatile and short-lived.

We must note that the intoxicating liquor of power can be a double-edged sword, corrupting even the noblest of intentions. Abuse of power occurs when public office holders who succumb to their baser instincts, using their positions for personal gain, and turning a blind eye to the needs and aspirations of the people they are meant to serve. Brutus, mulling his fears over Caesar’s rise to power and the stringent calls to crown him, soliloquized: “The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act II Scene I). He feared that though he had not known Caesar to be unreasonable, power may change him. So, for the common good, Caesar must die. What is therefore easily forgotten is the ‘EPHEMERALITY OF POWER’ and the temporary positions that the wielders hold. Nothing in life is permanent except for the word of God almighty Himself, which endures forever (Peter 1:25). What we ask again, and again is this: Leaders, what do you want to be remembered for when you leave power? For certainly you must leave someday. If not today, surely tomorrow; but certainly, you must.

EPHEMERALITY AND VANITY- ANY CONNECTION?

The connect between ephemerality and vanity is apparent, if not obvious: they are all but mirror-images of each other. What is vain, is at least partly so because it is ephemeral; what is ephemeral, (in the sense in which it is discussed here), is, by definition (at least, according to both the Bible and the Quran) vanity. All of it, including power and life itself. Everything is transient – almost illusory and like a mirage or a vapour: it is here today, and by tomorrow, it is gone. This dovetails neatly into the pomp, pageantry and excessive mourning which (culturally and as individuals) attend the passage or transition (death) of our loved ones. The sheer folly and mindlessness of such banal practices and traditions is best is best captured in this pith by an unknown author:
“Burials do not befit the dead. They’re dead and unaware what befits them or not. “Befitting burials” are bragging points for the living. The dead do not care. Love your loved ones while they’re here, make sacrifices for them. Give them gifts. Speak words of affirmation to them. Do acts of service for them. Touch them, hug them, kiss them, and spend time with them. Laugh and smile with them, enjoy them. Don’t save your accolades for the pages of their burial programs. The dead won’t read it. Say what you need to say now, to the ones you love who are alive. Befitting burials are for the living, not the dead. The dead do not know, the dead do not care. Go home and help the living live better!”
UNKNOWN

That is not all. Our literature is replete with innumerable musings on the subject of death and our reaction to it. A few are selected below: (https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/talkabout/articles/nine-famous-death-quotes-i-joyfully-await-the-exit-and-i-hope-never-to-return/281841)

“Analysis of death is not for the sake of becoming fearful but to appreciate this precious lifetime.” – Dalai Lama
“I have now decided that my death should be very precious. I really want to use it. I’d like my death to be as interesting as my life has been, and will be.” – David Bowie, Playboy Magazine interview, 1976.

“It’s part of the privilege of being human that we have our moment when we have to say goodbye.” – Patti Smith.

“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe.

“In the midst of death, life persists. In the midst of untruth, truth persists. In the midst of darkness, light persists.” – Mahatma Gandhi.

“Though lovers be lost, love shall not.” – Dylan Thomas.

“In life, we weep at the thought of death. In death, perhaps we weep at the thought of life.” – Marilyn Monroe.

“When you wake up from death, you will find yourself in my arms…” – Richard Brautigan.

“I joyfully await the exit – and I hope never to return” – Frida Kahlo
“I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” – Woody Allen.

“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

“Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don’t know how to replenish its source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals. It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.” – Anais Nin.

“I’m the one that’s got to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” – Jimi Hendrix, The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Axis: Bold as Love.

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” – Mark Twain.

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.” – Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie.

“A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.” – Oscar Wilde
“It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it’s called Life.” – Terry Pratchett, The Last Continent.

“I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.” – Mark Twain.

“I don’t want to die without any scars.” – Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
“It kills me sometimes, how people die.” – Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death, a note unsaid.” – Langston Hughes, The Collected Poems.

“That was the thing. You never got used to it, the idea of someone being gone. Just when you think it’s reconciled, accepted, someone points it out to you, and it just hits you all over again, that shocking.” – Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever.

“If you gave someone your heart and they died, did they take it with them? Did you spend the rest of forever with a hole inside you that couldn’t be filled?” – Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes.

“Even death has a heart.” – Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
“Don’t feel bad, I’m usually about to die.” – Rick Riordan, The Battle of the Labyrinth.

“When people don’t express themselves, they die one piece at a time.” – Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak

CONCLUSION

The ephemerality of life underscores its vanity. What is the point of it all when it will go up like smoke in next to no time? What shall it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? Two questions which are opposite sides of the same coin. Suffice it to say that whether you believe in God, are an agnostic or a non-believer, the emptiness of many of our exertions, aspirations and attitudes, or of those connected to us (or even total strangers far removed from us by space and time) are stark reminders of the imperative of re-ordering our priorities and focusing on the things that really matter: substance as opposed to form; self-denial/self discipline as opposed to self-indulgence, conspicuous consumption and excess. None of us is here to live forever and we shall all make our exits sooner or later – perhaps sooner than we imagined. Death is inevitable. It stalks us all like our shadow, sticking to us wherever we go to. What matters is to live purposeful, impactful lives and leave worthy legacies that will inspire others – regardless of any notion of the hereafter and personal accountability to a Supreme Being. God, please, help us. Forgive our many sins. Look upon us with mercy. AMEN. (The end).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“The vanity of human life is like a river, constantly passing away, and yet constantly coming on.” (Alexander Pope).