Truth/Leadership Requirements -By Richard Odusanya

George Orwell once wrote or said, “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more they will hate those that speak it,” or similar words. Truth is universal and never changes. But there are people determined to destroy the truth and subvert it with their thoughts and ideas. Their purpose is to replace the truth with lies. After enough “drift” society accepts the lie as if it were true and then hates the people who speak it.

For example: For hundreds of years in the Western world and some other societies, sex outside of marriage was considered immoral. A movement began in the 60s to change that. Now in 2024 if you say that you’ll be hated for saying it and possibly offend the LGBT rights. Oh yes! One reason is that the truth reminds society how chaotic and frightening the unsustainable alternative reality we have created must eventually become.

Additionally, our identity is defined by our worldview, values, beliefs, traits, habits, preferences, background, achievements, goals, and failures and lessons we learned from them. Furthermore, our culture establishes our worldview and informs our behavior. Language creates human culture. The transition from vocalizing to verbalizing in the evolution of our species was the beginning of language and culture.

On the other hand, in the profound words of Frederick George Hilmer AO, an Australian academic and business figure. Frederick posited that leadership requires five ingredients: brain, energy,  determination, trust, and ethics. The key challenges today are in terms of the last two: trust and ethics.

To build a little context, I had some disturbing and serious concerns about the caliber of leadership entrusted to us through our electoral process. First, Peter Ayodele Fayose served as governor of Ekiti State from 2003 to 2006, and again from 2014 to 2018. Fayose a friend of President Bola Tinubu, says that northerners marrying multiple wives and having many children indiscriminately constitute a huge problem for Nigeria and a burden on the government.

Secondly, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory since 2023. He previously served as the governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023. In his words: “That day is not available for those who want to protest, and FCT is not available for the protesters,” he said.

He said that the security council was aware of the threat of the protest and what some people may call “end bad governance.”

The worst of them all is Godswill Obot Akpabio CON, currently serving as the 15th president of the Nigerian Senate since 2023. He had previously served as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015. ‘We’ll be eating, protesters can go protest’, Akpabio mocks organizers.

The arrogance of power as displayed in recent days established a clear disconnection from the reality faced by ordinary Nigerians and suggested that citizens cannot hold them accountable and there will be no consequence for bad behavior.

Let me be clear: good men are often humble and don’t require positions of authority for self-validation. In Plato’s opinion, Good Men shouldn’t rise to office because they want it for their gain. But Good Men should rise to office because it is their moral duty to prevent evil men from doing so.

I’ve been trying for a while to find a way to situate the divisive and inflammatory statements and the position of our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), as presented by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. He assured the citizens that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is poised to serve Nigerians, not “dominate” them.

With the examples of Fayose’s divisiveness; Wike’s arrogance of power and Akpabio’s recklessness. It is a clear message to the president that now and then, there will be people who will challenge his leadership by testing or questioning his authority. More often than not, this is the time to determine if we can trust your leadership and if you are who you are supposed to be. Because when you’re walking at the front, it’s difficult to see what’s behind you. Given the multitude of work and responsibilities, it is clear that it takes a great deal of time, discipline, and practice to become a great and effective leader.

In addition, I will consider the golden words of Dr. Dale C. Bronner, a bishop, church planter, author, conference speaker, and leadership trainer. He is the founder and senior pastor of Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral. Bishop Dale Bronner posited: “If serving is below you, then leadership is beyond you”

In conclusion, I, have an abiding suspicion of some of the people who are given to recklessness, careless whisper at critical times, self-centered and ostentatious lifestyles.

Finally, I wish to join millions of our compatriots at home and abroad in dedicating the article on LEADERSHIP in memory of our beloved songstress Onyeka Onwenu MFR (31 January 1952 – 30 July 2024) a Nigerian singer/songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist, politician, and former X Factor series judge. Dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” “Nigeria: The Squandering of Riches”