The World As I See It
Tag: leadership
Let me set the stage for this article by juxtaposing quotes from two American politicians.
“The real cost of corruption in government, whether it is local, state, or federal, is a loss of the public trust”
Mike Quigley
“We can only have true public safety with public trust”
Betsy Hodges
Two centuries ago, Brigham Young said that “True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what’s right.” Those words are as true as the knowledge that the earth is spherical. Whereas some persons view independence as being free to do whatever they like however they like, such persons have a myopic view that points to immaturity. When one is truly independent is when one comes to appreciate that independence implies a responsibility to do the right thing. It is the Nigerian state’s inability to understand this logic that has kept it in shackles for fifty-six years. Continue reading “Shackles of Independence”
“Before you ask, ‘where is the change they promised us’, you must first ask, ‘how far have I changed my ways’”.
These words were spoken by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, as he launched “Change Begins with Me”, a campaign aimed at changing Nigerians. Continue reading “Change Begins with Buhari”
In a hierarchical society, the goal of many persons is to someday get to the top. Whether in the public service or in the private sector, holding the top role in an organization is usually the ultimate aim. Having recognized this drive for the zenith, one wonders whether hierarchy should be treated as sacrosanct, or whether hierarchy should sometimes be ignored in the best interest of an organization. This is not a palatable thought, but in the interest of providing platforms for lasting legacies, it is a thought worth considering. Continue reading “Seat Fillers or Potential Legacies?”
“Youths are the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Youths are the future leaders.”
Presumably, every person older than a toddler has heard these quotes or any of their numerous cousins. It is ingrained in the human consciousness that every generation will at some point be replaced by a younger one. However, for many youths, tomorrow remains elusive, perpetually unreachable because they never realize that tomorrow starts now. Continue reading “Leaders of Never”
Someone once said that leadership involves leaders making sacrifices for the greater good of the organization, just as many parents deny themselves of certain rights and privileges in order to make a better life for their families. That someone obviously had no inkling of Nigerian leadership. In Nigeria, sacrifices are the exclusive preserve of the followers. Continue reading “Much Ado about Cars”
“The Dark Continent”. The colonialists made this Africa’s tag while it laid subservient to their interests. Years after the last colonial flag was lowered, many Africans are yet to experience real freedom. Self-styled, faux messianic rulers continue to provide reasons to retain Africa’s degrading tag. Rwanda’s latest referendum aptly shows why Africa may still be the Dark Continent. Continue reading “Rwanda: Symbol of a Dark Continent”
In every society, there are usually some persons who are viewed as role models or mentors. These persons are usually paragons of leadership. They are elders, statesmen, expected to show the light to the rest of society. Their words and actions can easily influence events in society. Decorum and wisdom is therefore expected to be their watchword. Hence, it is a thing of sadness when a statesman makes a gaffe and utters statements unbecoming of his status. Continue reading “Tribalocracy”
Many persons who see the title of this article would quickly assume that the article is about the two main contending parties in Nigeria—the PDP and the APC. I am too happy to burst many persons’ bubbles. This article is not about the campaign slogan of any political party. Rather, it is about the glaring culture of the Nigerian people. Continue reading “Change or Continuity?”
Happy New Year!
It’s 2015, fresh, a clean slate, never experienced before. Whether you entered the New Year in a religious mode, or at home sleeping, in a bar emptying bottles, in a park (or street) shooting or watching fireworks, or anything else, welcome to 2015.
