A youngman, Johnson Baba posted how that the Kogi Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Chief Edward David Onoja called him a ‘Common Waiter’ without identity. Whether this statement is in response to provocative social media post or not, my grouse is, Chief Onoja should know that he walked on a tightrope to where he is today and should have learnt leadership lessons that prepares him for the onerous task he faces today.
Few things I want His Excellency to know.
1. Don’t answer every critic. In the first place, criticisms are meant to make you better and not denigrate you. Even if you are insulted, the way you react will make the person learn from your maturity. If leaders turn attention to replying every insults, what time will be left for serious business of governance? If God places you ahead, remain there! Don’t bring yourself down by joining issues with everyone.
Accepting leadership responsibilities is like refuse dumb, everyone knows you are there to solve problems. So, accept their frustration because whether you like it or not, leaders are to be blame for everything. It is a universal phenomenon and not only in our clime.
Whatever a leader says, especially in the negative will never be forgotten but surely be held against him and may comeback to hunt him in times to come. If you doubt me, ask Prince Abubakar Audu of blessed memory, if you can see him. Before the 2003 governorship election in Kogi State, Prince Audu had lost popular goodwill because most Igalas believe strongly in the philosophy of late Major General Mamman Vatsa, who said during his Coup trial that “lean or thin liberty is better than fat slavery.” They prefer their penury to insult, irrespective of what they are getting from you. This is despite Prince Audu’s strong sense of modesty and highwire deliverables in public service.
Look carefully amongst your critics. Select the most daring and intelligent ones among them to work with. Any leader, who is content with working with only those who agrees or praise him will end up a colossal failure because they will clap him into irrelevance. Even when he is headed for the ditch, they will still be urging him on.
You demonstrate strong character in leadership by the capacity to absorb criticism without a witch hunt. There lays the greatest strength of former President Goodluck Jonathan. I think time has revealed his true personality.
His Excellency, Chief Edward David Onoja has age on his side and still has more prospect in politics, if he makes use of those who seems dislike him. Ask IBB. Pa Tai Solarin was on his neck, he called him and gave him assignment that berthed People’s Bank of IBB’s era. Another of his arch critic was Wole Soyinka. He told him the rate of accidents on our highway was too much, prefer solution. That was how Federal Road Safety Corps was born.
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Finally, in leadership dictionary, those who criticise you don’t necessarily hate you but have the desire for things to work well. Rather, your greatest enemies are those who clap for you, even in the face of obvious mistakes. Bet me, out of power, they will be the first to reveal your failures in office.
A word is enough for the the wise!
Credit: Daily Metro