A Positive Mindset -By Taiwo Odukoya

Taiwo Odukoya

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8).

It has been said that leaders are dealers in hope. These words have resonated through history, and they are true. Leaders are typically expected to bear burdens from the past, wade through the challenges of the present, and chart a course toward a better future.

It is commonplace to find the masses amplifying their problems and projecting a hopeless future. But it is the responsibility of leadership to think differently and inspire hope for the future. To do otherwise would spell disaster for both the leader and the led.

Speaking of inspiring leadership, Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister readily comes to mind. Churchill succeeded in bringing an unusual dose of optimism at a time of great threat and seeming impossibility. According to Sir Martin Gilbert, Churchill’s official biographer, “It was Churchill’s own opposition to all forms of defeatism that marked out the first six months of his war premiership and established the nature and pattern of his war leadership.” Churchill spoke persistently of the resolve of the British people and their capacity to rise above challenges, thus raising the people’s hope and general morale across the country. During the opening days of the war he said, “The British people are like the sea. You can put the bucket in anywhere, and pull it up, and always find salt.” And on June 4, 1940, speaking at the House of Commons, his positive posture came to the fore in these words:

“We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, and we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

Labour MP Josiah Wedgwood said about the speech: “That was worth 1,000 guns, and the speeches of 1,000 years.”

In the words of one of history’s greatest inspirational leaders, Apostle Paul: “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse…Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”

The truth is, there is hope and a future for Nigeria. Regardless of the challenges we might be facing, it is important to remember that other nations, from Singapore to Germany, even America, faced similar circumstances and came out better and stronger. So let us keep a positive attitude. Let us hold fervently to the prospect of a glorious future, one which we have the collective ability to create for ourselves. We are all leaders in our own right and in our respective spheres of influence, and so we have a responsibility to inspire confidence, hope, and a positive mental attitude towards building the Nigeria of our dreams.

NIGERIA HAS A GREAT FUTURE.