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Category: Dr John Ekundayo

  • Ekiti 2022 and Oyebanji’s emergence: Exceeding expectations?

    Ekiti 2022 and Oyebanji’s emergence: Exceeding expectations?

    “Skepticism can keep us from blessing, can keep us trapped in two minds . . . If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.” – John Ortberg Jr.

    There is an interesting and intriguing encounter of this columnist that is worth sharing in starting this week’s edition of the Followership Challenge. It was at a time he was desperately searching for a job as a civil engineer in the late 80s. Waking up in the morning, he tuned his radio to the now rested Radio Nigeria 2, Lagos. It was divinely coincidental that an advert came up quite unusually that morning calling for qualified civil engineers to apply for positions in a construction company. This columnist complied and was scheduled for an interview. It was amazing to get to the interview venue along Broad Street, Lagos, and discovered to this columnist’s chagrin that myriads of more experienced engineers were on ground! Virtually, he apparently hung-up hope of scaling through the two-stage interview process. However, in a seemingly surprising twist and turn, he was selected to be part of the second and final stage of the interview. This columnist went in for the interview with mixed feelings as he was the least experienced of the candidates. Prior to his entry for the final stage of the interview, he heard many speaking of their capabilities and competencies; in fact, some pointed to serving as engineers while erecting few edifices within the precincts of Marina and Broad Street of Lagos Island. Interestingly, as he sat down for the interview with the Executive Chairman of the organization seated as part of the panel, he discovered easy questions relating to road construction were posted to him which he made mincemeat of not knowing there was a divine hand working underneath in his favour! Eventually, he was chosen as one of the two civil engineers needed for the project.

    The site of the road construction was in the heart of Maiduguri, present Borno State. The newly employed professionals hopped into the plane with one of the panelists that interviewed us who blared as the plane was about to take off: “who among you here is Ekundayo?” this columnist responded in the affirmative wondering whether another interview session was unfolding! He went further as he beckoned to this columnist to sit near him while others were a little far away. He then further questioned: “when were you born?” I responded this time feeling virtually reticent and recalcitrant. He then whispered to me: “I was born the same day! When I got hold of your CV among many others, I decided this man would get this job and I would be his friend.” Ultimately, it was so; albeit divinely arranged!

    Oyebanji’s Emergence: Filial and Fraternal Fellowship

    The APC primary’s election that was held on Thursday 27th January 2022 has come and gone. Howbeit, the trajectory and trails of the election notwithstanding, Oyebanji’s emergence, without any gainsaying, was a result of combination of his pedigree, profile, personality, professionalism and public appeal laced with aggressive hard work in traversing all the local government areas. The latter involved interacting and interfacing with party members along all strata evident in the vociferous and vehement proclamation of BAO! BAO!! BAO!!! in most of the 177 wards in Ekiti. This columnist was on ground at the voting venue of his ward, as an observer and ethnographic researcher. It is noteworthy to highlight that up till now, the incumbent Governor John Kayode Fayemi has not declared that Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (popularly referred to as BAO) is his anointed candidate as none of the contestants in the race to Oke Ayoba was endorsed by Fayemi throughout the contest unlike what happened while erstwhile Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose was in the saddle. Fayose then, in his own witty wisdom, chose, endorsed and backed Professor Kolapo Olusola – Eleka, his Deputy, to take over the mantle from him. Of course, it was a pipe dream that never came to see the light of the day as Dr. John Kayode Fayemi trounced him in that election of 2018. In any contest, there will surely be a conqueror. In essence, competitions produce champions and leave in their trails those that are conquered.

    Read Also: I’ll transform Ekiti if elected, says PRP candidate

    In the aftermath of the 2018 primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, the incumbent Governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, then the winner of the APC primary, was much magnanimous in that he personally went round to meet the co-contestants at home in healing hurts of defeat. This is filial and fraternal fellowship in practice. That singular courageous step was instrumental in healing hurts. Thereafter, the incumbent government made some overtures or concessions to his key fellow contestants as a political tradeoff – same thing applicable in organizational strategic positioning and posturing in order to secure competitive advantage. Ultimately, it paid off in the election of 2018; the ruling party in the State won with a margin less than 20,000 votes! In essence, this route may be adapted or adopted as the case may be so that the APC family will remain one as the people of Ekiti approach the election of June 2022. One major trade – off this columnist can suggest is for the duo of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Honourable Femi Bamisile to return to the Senate and House of Representatives respectively while Engr. Kayode Ojo and Senator Dayo Adeyeye are placated equally in a win – win situation. This house must not fall as all are dwelling inside! The party elders and leaders, nationally, should wade in to let the voice of reason and rationality prevail!! First step is to forestall any legal resolution of issues relating to the primary election in court, it is not just about the sanctity of the election but not taking the route that will give room to wasting precious time needed in adequate preparation for the gubernatorial election coming up in June 2022.

    Oyebanji: Any good thing coming from Nazareth?

    Cana of Galilee, was the centre of Jewish population and boasted of referred rabbinic heritage in Biblical times whilst Nazareth was a seemingly small, hilly and remote town of little significance. Philip, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, was elated in telling his friend and town mate, Nathaniel, to come with him to Nazareth to meet the Messiah. The latter was skeptical. He queried sarcastically: ‘“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” saith Philip’ (John 1verse 46). There are still some skepticisms of Oyebanji’s performance as a worthy successor of Fayemi. This columnist attesting the character, credibility, competence of BAO laced with his unassuming mien, humility, adroitness and savviness will apparently prove to many to be another “gold in the rubbles” as this columnist tagged him in a recent publication of Thisday newspaper in the run up to the primary election. In the same vein like Philip responded, this columnist is towing same line of thought, that in coming out to see, followers in Ekiti should put on objective lens in line with the expression of John Ortberg Jr., an American celebrated author and speaker, who pontificated thus: “Skepticism can keep us from blessing, can keep us trapped in two minds . . . If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.”

    Conclusion

    The taste of the pudding is in the eating says a proverb. In the Biblical narrative aforementioned, Nathaniel after being convinced by Philip had a memorable encounter with the Master, Jesus, who emphatically stated that Nathaniel would see “greater things”. This columnist knowing Oyebanji’s knack for strategic foresight, suave mannerism and prognostic perspicacity for talents, in a widely knowledge pool Ekiti is wont to, will surely exceed the expectations of many in making Ekiti great as he was part of that original visioner in the carving, crafting and creating Ekiti State out of the old Ondo State, 25 years ago. He was the Secretary of that Committee, headed by Baba Deji  Fasuan.                   Will Oyebanji make the dream of these progenitors come to pass or exceed their expectations as he pilots his way to Oke Ayoba come June 2022? He has laid his divine hands on the plough and there is no looking back counting on the backing of God and the good people of Ekiti State in the forthcoming contest. Seemingly, the major contender in the PDP’s candidate of Chief Bisi Kolawole. The latter is equally qualified and adept in Ekiti politics, without mincing words. However, in strategic studies, there is what is termed “unique value proposition (UVP).” Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) possesses this, head and shoulder, above all other contestants in the gubernatorial race as he had served within Ekiti State more than any other contestants involved in the race, specifically having served in key government positions and agencies under two helmsmen – former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, and the incumbent, Governor John Kayode Fayemi. Succinctly and saliently stated, in his service spanning eleven years, there was no incidence of disloyalty or disrespect to constituted authority. Squarely and simply put, Oyebanji (BAO) should be given a chance to prove his leadership sagacity as a man of destiny and well-mannered omoluabi.

     

  • Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne (Part 3)

    Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne (Part 3)

    In the run up to the senatorial election in the State of New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton, was concerned, committed and consummated with one thing that was so unique to her – listening. It was not just listening but doing so with empathy. It is to be emphasized that empathetic listening requires unique and uncommon skills. According to a scholar, in driving this vital point home, Professor Louise Kelly, surmised: “Empathy, she suggests, “is a bridge in relationships. It means to understand, to respect another . . .. To listen with empathy, you must suspend your preoccupation with yourself – your needs, your image, your opinions, your  expertise-and enter the experience, mind and emotions of another person. You must  be silent and not interrupt, argue or give advice.” Hence, to be an effective transformational leader, Kelly, in her treatise on “transformational leadership through listening”, pinpointed highest listening skills as being imperative in connecting and building bridges within teams, groups, organizations and communities.

    Back to Hillary Rodham Clinton: she took seriously the art of listening over and above other pressing issues even when she knew she was running against a formidable opponent in the person of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Clinton, adamant, commenced what was widely tagged the “listening tour” which ultimately became boring to journalists at a point as constituents were the ones running the shows in speaking and spewing all their concerns and challenges while Clinton patiently listened with equal care and concerns. In her own words: “I think I have some real work to do to get out and listen and learn from the people of New York and demonstrate that what I’m for is maybe as important, if not more important, than where I’m from . . . I’m eagerly looking forward to listening to New Yorkers and hearing directly what’s on their minds about the issues affecting their families . . .” Eventually, the listening tour commenced from July 1999 and ended in February 2000. The month of February 2000 signalled the start of the “talking tour” leading to Clinton’s official declaration of her candidacy for the New York Senatorial race. Hillary Clinton confidently blazed the trail by boldly declaring, shaking the opposition camp, “I may be new to the neighbourhood . . . but I’m not new to your concerns.” Instantaneously, there was a resonating connection with the constituents and contestant  – Clinton . In that epoch making election, Clinton defeated her formidable opponent, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (source: Andrew D. W. (2005). Listening Leadership: Hillary Clinton’s Listening Tour. International Journal of Listening).

    Tinubu: Consulting or Listening?

    Asiwaju Tinubu in intimating President Muhammadu Buhari about his intention to put his hat into the ring regarding the race to Aso Rock come 2023 declared that he was yet to make a public declaration to the people of Nigeria his life – long ambition of becoming the President of Nigeria. Meanwhile, he is engaged in consulting with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s project. In a recent interview with Arise TV, the veteran journalist cum politician, Dele Momodu, ruffled some feathers when in the course of the discourse, he declared there exist some nebulous or ambiguous “owners of Nigeria” determining who emerges as president in any election. I do not know whether this set of people are still alive or they reproduce themselves as Momodu was referring to the 1999 election between Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae.  According to Momodu, on approaching Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, one of the shining stars from the north at that time, he was dumbfounded when Rilwanu stated succinctly that the cryptic “owners of Nigeria” are against Olu Falae becoming President but were rather angling for Obasanjo that they could seemingly trust! On this note, Rilwanu rejected the offer of becoming a running mate to Falae. Ultimately, Falae lost gallantly in that election. At this juncture, as a followership scholar, my counsel will be for Tinubu to widen the scope of his consultation. Simply and squarely stated, the present consultation is seemingly slim and skew in content and context. The consultation should span the entire Nigeria’s landscape. In actual fact, there are some that should be excluded from the media glitz; in such tête-à-tête with core, critical and crucial stakeholders.

    Recalling and connecting the case of Hillary Clinton aforementioned, it is imperative, with attendant burning national issues on the table, on the part of Asiwaju Tinubu to do more listening than talking. This should span all the six geo – political zones (regions) of the country. Nigeria needs healing now more than ever in our history as a country claiming to fly on federalism but undertaking unitary form of governance in colour and content, no thanks to several military incursions and interregnum with concomitant impact on the socio-economic cum political life of Nigerians. It is time to hear, without interruptions, Nigerians, airing their angst, frustrations, concerns, challenges, disappointment, desires and demands. This kind of listening should cut across strata of the societies: students, youths, women, men, and elders; in diverse vocations, professions and businesses. Farmers and herders are very key. Agitators and people fighting for self-determination are crucial. Youths – with the bulge in our unrestrained population – need to be factored into such consultation if there is the belief that they matter in the scheme of things to come taking cognizance of the #EndSars saga of 2020. The time for agenda setting is coming but presently, there is the need to listen to the vociferous and vehement voices of our vibrant and vivacious youths; they are not lazy as Baba Buhari once labelled them. They are only waiting, longing and yearning for their bubbling energies to be harnessed for effective productive ventures.

    Muslim -Muslim Mandate

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam El – Rufai calculative, not surprising as he is a quantity surveyor by profession, was the first to not only dangled but deified the Muslim – Muslim ticket to the chagrin of many people of his state. It was seemingly unfair as the people are not wont and wired to . However,  in his own political calculation, it was expedient. He won! Is Asiwaju treading this trajectory to the throne? It is instructive to note that Kaduna configuration is minuscule as it is not a miniature Nigeria, in content and colour. Hence, there is the need to widely and objectively consult on this sensitive issue as Nigeria is deeply religious in nature though we perch on secularism. In this regard, there should be thorough consultation with the religious leaders of Christianity (particularly Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)) and Islam. Listening to their agitations and concerns could result in the possibility of negotiating further with them. As far as this columnist is concerned, there is not much in the power of the Vice President of Nigeria except the incumbent President gives him or her that power.

    The most powerful Vice President we have had so far was Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Erstwhile President Obasanjo, especially in his first term, due to the political horse-trading and undertone of the time, conceded so much power to Atiku. Presently, the incumbent Vice President enjoys no such power. Hence, one can surmise, constitutionally, there is nothing attractive in that post, as far this columnist is concerned. However, the eventual death of an incumbent President could ‘promote’ the Vice President. Who is wishing or praying for the death of any President anyway? Possible option could be the concession of the seats of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Christian community for peace, fairness and equity. This is a perspective or possibility that could play out as a scenario even though many would still be up in arms against this tinkering. Nevertheless, it could prove a better alternative or option to resolving the political conundrum we have found ourselves as a country of diverse divides.

     

    Conclusion

    As the hand of the clock ticks towards 2023, it is imperative not just for Asiwaju Tinubu to go round in consultation but any serious candidate on any political party platform should tow this line. There is the need to engage the followers, the voters. I have said it in virtually all my appearances as a guest analyst on Channels TV Sunrise, TVC Breakfast and Arise TV Morning Show, Nigerians should no longer tolerate any accidental presidential or gubernatorial candidate that certain “wise men”, in their supposedly all-knowing posture, would thrust on Nigeria’s followers to vote for resulting in production of accidental governors or presidents as it had happened in time past! Henceforth, Nigeria’s followers should demand for debates, dialogues and discourses from aspirants or contestants on the platform of any political party. Nigeria’s followers should demand for more articulate, enlightened, intelligent, competent and cerebral leaders possessed with sagacious strategic vision and consensual core values. Without mincing words, any candidate dodging or denigrating interactions or interface with followers should be jettisoned at the polls. No more “Accidental Governor or President.”

  • Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne (Part 2)

    Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne (Part 2)

    “Let me say generally about this public image that I do not remember one public contest where he has lost the war. I speak of many battles-fronts; from Oyo to Borgu, Ife, Ibadan, to Lagos and Anambra to mention but a few. Of course, he bears many battle scars and these attests to his tactical ability to surrender battles in order to win wars.” – Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; erstwhile Governor of Lagos State, presently the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, in the book: “Asiwaju: Leadership in troubled times”, edited by the trio of Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye and Segun Ayobolu, pp. 67-68.

    It was in the year 2015 and a few days to May 29. This columnist was opportune as one of the stakeholders to be present in a valedictory event to appreciate the tenure of the cerebral, Mr. Ben Akabueze, as the Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Lagos State. Towards the tail end of the event, the Anambra-born but Lagos-bred technocrat, rose up to appreciate the attendees, especially those of us who worked closely with him. He said inter alia that while he was being considered for an appointment in Anambra, out of the blue, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who he had known in his heydays in the banking industry, invited him and offered him the opportunity to serve in January 2007. He was retained throughout the era of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, from 29th May 2007 till 29th May 2015. In the treatise edited by the trio of Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye and Segun Ayobolu, published in 2012, the sagacious Akabueze stated succinctly of his experience serving Lagosians with Tinubu in the saddle: “Asiwaju . . .has displayed an unusual success in attracting and retaining some of Nigeria’s best professionals in various fields to serve in government during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. These professionals come from different states in the federation because for Asiwaju competence counts far above other primordial considerations. Indeed, this is one defining character of the Tinubu leadership style (sic).” Presently, in the government circles, states and federal, appointments are done with partisan, parochial, pecuniary, puerile or pedestrian consideration! In sane clime, where professionalism, profile and pedigree are taking cognizance of, someone in the likes of Akabueze would be the Minister of Economic Planning and Budgetary Matters. Nay! Governance has been mostly hijacked in Nigeria and subjugated by sycophants. Do we then cry over spilt milk of bad governance when non-professionals possessing no matching competencies are calling shots in agencies of government? This was not so in the eight years of Tinubu in Lagos. Virtually, it was evident in the subsequent administrations of his successors: Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Mr. Akin Ambode and the incumbent, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. This is just one issue in the quest to the presidency of 2023 that all aspirants to the prestigious and onerous seat of the president should address.

    Tinubu: Time To Talk

    It is noteworthy that the public announcement signaling Tinubu’s intention to throw his hat into the ring towards the 2023 presidency has rattled and ruffled feathers in hallowed and high quarters, pointedly the corridors of power. Was it that it was unexpected? Definitely, not the case for most public analysts and political watchers. Seemingly unsettling was the timing of Tinubu dropping the ‘bomb!’ Could it be strategic coming just few days after President Muhammadu Buhari’s interview on Channels TV in which he refused to give a hint of his possible successor fearing he might be ‘eliminated’ from the political scene and space taking cognizance of Nigeria’s muddy and murky political waters? Suddenly and seemingly, as if coordinated, vociferous voices have been so loud, some for and some against dwarfing comments on other contenders and possible contenders. Having perused and read many articles and online posts on Tinubu’s (why so much on him anyway?), I wondered whether many followers really know his leadership profile and pedigree while in government as a senator and governor. This is partly why this columnist has to come out with salient statements by two personalities that are not known for genuflecting or being garrulous in nature – Babatunde Raji Fashola and Ben Akabueze. I am not oblivious that these statements were penned down in 2012. Could things have changed and there is a different song, even though the story cannot change?

    Someone like Senator Femi Ojudu has a story that is fixated albeit his song has changed! This columnist often tells anyone that cares to listen: “if you do not know my story, you cannot understand my glory.” Definitely, my song has changed from my usual song of ten years ago! God used some people for me along the way in turning my story to glory. Succinctly stated, Senator Femi Ojudu’s statement was ill-conceived and ill-timed for someone who was once a benefactor. Silence mode could be best for him while he chooses his candidate. The content and context of his seemingly skewed tinkering is against the Yoruba wise saying: “Omi l’eniyan te ko to te yaanrin” (meaning: someone’s feet first step upon water before it could stand firmly on the sandy platform at the bottom of the river). In this vein, one writer, even pontificated that Tinubu rather used many of his mentees rather than he being used to develop them. This is apparently against scholastic sagacity as in a leadership-dyad typical of mentor protegee relationship (MPR); a saturation stage is reached where the mentee feels he needs to be a mentor himself and no more a mentee. However, in the saturation stage, the mentee still acknowledges his mentor’s helping hands. At this juncture, one may ask pointedly: who gave most of these people (proteges or mentees) the platforms to serve? It is like saying Simon (who was surnamed Peter) and Saul (who later changed his name to Paul) were self made or Jesus Christ made use of them. This awkward and awful line of thought would be simply and squarely denigrating the personality and platform that processed, packaged, produced and promoted them. Even Tinubu could not say he was self made as he cut his political teeth under mentors and guardians who offered him platforms to showcase strategic sagacious steps in governance. One of his mentors is Chief Pius Akinyelure. He mentored the young BolaTinubu while in the corporate world; even though politically, in the present-day Nigeria, the table has turned, yet Tinubu cannot denigrate Pa Akinyelure, covertly or overtly! Yorubas also say: the river that forgets his source will dry off (“omi to ba gbagbe orisun e, a gbe”). This columnist reflectingly attests to some people being part of his “curriculum vitae” for life! Why? The emergence and encounters between him and such personalities are memorable. Hence, it is time for proteges and mentees of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step up and speak so loudly before the naysayers do havoc through what they know best to do – hatchet jobbing!

    Tinubu 2023: Agenda Setting

    Presently, socio-economically and politically, certain sordid statistics are staring us in the face. These are the   issues  to  bring  up  as  2023   beckons!  It is high time followers focused and fixated on these core and crucial matters than mundane fables. Going forward, lovers of Nigeria (patriotic followers) should focus on issues that will deliver Nigeria walloping in this wild weirdly wilderness we have found ourselves socio-economically and politically! Away with jejune, puerile and pedestrian old wives’ fables and debates. It is high time, many followers reflected, reasoned and rationalised in towing the path of progressive tinkering in order to prevent the emergence of many “accidental aspirants” ending up elected as “accidental governors, senators, house of representatives’ members, house of assembly members, and even becoming president” of our country. To this columnist, this is the real “affliction rising up the second time” if followers fail in checkmating and crippling this drift. In essence, this columnist would enjoin followers to focus and fixate on issues and ideas, and not sentimental or emotional comments. Let us look out for, vouch for and vote for aspirants who have pedigrees of success knowing there is no political saint – we all have our past! We need men and women now who have histories of rescuing their organisations or governments out of crisis into reckoning to be our governors and president! Asiwaju had demonstrated that in Lagos in raising IGR monthly from 0.6 billion Naira (1999) to 6.9 billion Naira (2007). This is empirical and evidential! (Source: Olawale Edun, in the book: “Asiwaju: Leadership in troubled times”, p. 142 edited by the trio of Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye and Segun Ayobolu). Asiwaju Tinubu with canny and cerebral traits for identifying talents and financial engineering could replicate the same feat in our dipping and dwindling economy if given the chance. Presently, Nigeria is borrowing heavily to finance the budget. We need a game changer as President in 2023.

    Conclusion

    This is one battle Tinubu, Jagaban Borgu, would fight with all in his political arsenal! In the opening of this write up, Babatunde Raji Fashola attested to the determined might in his political mentor when he enthusiastically and elated expressed way back in 2012: “Let me say generally about this public image that I do not remember one public contest where he has lost the war. I speak of many battles-fronts; from Oyo to Borgu, Ife, Ibadan, to Lagos and Anambra to mention but a few. Of course, he bears many battle scars and these attests to his tactical ability to surrender battles in order to win wars.” All eyes are on Tinubu, as a sagacious strategist. This columnist would want to pointedly the following questions: Is BAT prepared for all the darts and arrows his opponents are(will be) launching at him? Does he consider this “lifelong ambition” a war or battle? Is his arsenal strategically stocked to ward off expected and emerging attacks on the way to victory in his party? Is the vehicle rugged and robust enough for him on the bumpy ride to 2023? Supposing there is a gang up against his riding in that vehicle towards his fulfilling his lifelong ambition, will he be stranded and abandon his lifelong pursuit? In the alternative, as a master strategist, does he have an Option B? Will he rather support a viable candidate taking his vast political structure with him? In closing, digging deep into Tinubu’s tinkering, he is a strategist who does not run and rush to battle. Going by his corporate and political antecedents, from his days in Mobil Oil Producing to the Senate to Lagos House to his membership of Alliance for Democracy (AD) to formation of Action Congress (AC) to transforming to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) (to give the party a national outlook); and then finally to merger of parties establishing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu has been acclaimed as a determined and distinguished dogged fighter. These last lines fitly depict his personality, profile and profundity in politics and politicking within Nigeria’s context: “I plan for betrayal, I plan for backstabbing, I also plan for reunion and forgiveness long before they happen. In life, I expect nothing, I expect anything, I expect everything.” There is no gainsaying the fact that he is well prepared for the hurdles and hustles head up to 2023. I wish him the best!

     

  • Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne (Part 1)

    Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne (Part 1)

    “When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go . . .” – Barack Obama

    Can a kingmaker, in a twist and turn, become a king?

    Seemingly, the first personality that made the tag: “kingmaker” popular was Richard Neville, the 16th Earl of Warwick. Hence, kingmaker first found its way into the lexicon in 1599, but was rather popular in the 19th century as a proper diction with global acceptance and recognition. According to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) 2010 report, it has been subsequently used by politicians who help others attain power. Traditionally, the original kingmakers wanted to be king but were restrained legally, culturally and politically. Historically, Sonia Gandhi, a political kingmaker, was expected to become Indian Prime Minister in 2014 after her party won the election, but rather declined to mount the saddle.

    Mr. Lee Jay-oh, a conservative South Korean politician who was nicknamed a kingmaker. According to him: “I helped him (Lee Myung-bak) become president, but I’ve never wielded undue power.” This is according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report. He was widely reported as a close associate and confidant of the then South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak. In the process of time, Lee Jay-oh ended up throwing up his hat into the ring as a presidential aspirant of the ruling party in his country as there was no seeming cultural or constitutional constraint convincing him otherwise. Lee Jay-oh was so much concerned that South Korea was drifting and needed electoral reforms that would jettison the one term five-year rule for a two-term four-year rule. He had his own strong reasons. However, when the chips were down, he was a gallant loser!

    In another political scenario, in another Asian country, there was a man, who was determined, against all odds, to make a remarkable difference. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, a physician, politician, author and statesman, eventually, after a series of political twists and turns, became Malaysia’s 4th Prime Minister holding office from July 1981 to October 2003. As at the time of being in the saddle in the South East Asia country, he was in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Doctor M, as he was being referred to by his many admirers and adherents, was the father of modern Malaysia and was in strong competition (in terms of initiating policies and programmes to better the lots of Malaysians) with Lee Kuan Yew (LKY), former Prime Minister and later Minister Mentor of neighbouring, Singapore. His administration ushered in unprecedented and unique socio-economic and political development of Malaysia that could nor be gainsaid or jettisoned even by bitter critics of his style.

    Dr M, bowed out gracefully, after winning five consecutive general elections, with an emotion laden speech that enacted tears from the eyes of party stalwarts and stakeholders. However, he turned into a kingmaker! He literally hand-picked his successor, Abdullahi Ahmad Badawi, who later got the boot as a fallout of strident criticism and opprobrium of Doctor M. Badawi, described as a “good man” by this columnist PhD’s supervisor, a Malaysian, was not a good leader as perceived by many political seers and analysts. Doctor M would not open his eyes for Badawi to run the country, he laboured so much to build, aground, Najib Razak took over the baton from Badawi in quick succession. However, corruption marked and marred the tenure of Najib, the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The opposition gathered together akin to what took place in the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Nigeria in 2013 (albeit in different political context), and in a jiffy, called on Dr. M to come lead them with certain caveat which he obliged to as he wanted eagerly to rescue his beloved country out of apparent economic and political rot. In essence, a king that turned, in a political twist and turn, to a kingmaker, was now being toasted and tossed to be a king upon the same political throne! Yes, Dr. Mahathir, the 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia, broke records in a seemingly uncommon and unique political lexicon – a king, a kingmaker and then, a king! Thus, in the most often quoted saying of Barack Obama: “There is nothing impossible to they who will try . . .”

    Tinubu: Any Sin In Having A Dream?

    Literally, any man or woman can have a dream. However, dreams should be shared only at the appropriate time. Biblically, Joseph ran into a troublesome time when, basking in the unique encomiums poured upon him by his father, who preferentially made him a coat of many colours, as a mark of distinction and dignity. Thereafter, he elatedly and enthusiastically expressed his dreams of reigning and ruling over his household despite being almost the youngest – he was senior only to Benjamin in the hierarchy, by age! He nearly lost his life; nevertheless, his dreams came to pass beyond all wildest imagination as he ruled over not just his nation but presided over the most economically and politically powerful nation of the world of his time – Egypt. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accountant, politician, senator and former Governor of Lagos State, is a political juggernaut, apparently a “man of timber and caterpillar” (apology to the late Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe of blessed memory). Asiwaju Tinubu who is arguably enigmatic and apparently controversial to some critics, was recently in the news. He was in Aso Rock, the seat of power, to jaw jaw with President Muhammadu Buhari and more importantly intimating him with his “categorial” (in his own diction) intention to contest in the presidential election of 2023. The die is cast!

    Read Also: Tinubu stands for politics without bitterness- Makinde

    In a widely published and publicised press briefing, Jagaban, as Tinubu is widely referred to by his adherents and admirers, declared that the ambition of becoming Nigeria’s president has been his lifelong dream. This columnist has written in times past of the need to tickle Tinubu into the ring of presidential aspirants. It is not just Tinubu, this columnist has declared over major media platforms (TVC New Breakfast, Channels TV Sunrise, and Arise Morning Show), as many people, who possess the political personality, profile, pedigree and profundity should throw their hats into the ring! The more, the merrier!! Enough of “accidental presidents and governors” all over Nigeria’s political landscape!!! How? For instance, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, after being released from prison in 1998 had the leadership of the country thrusted on him without his demanding or desiring it! Hence, Nigerians should not blame him; he did not prepare for the onerous duty of a democratic leader. He was a military leader. He did his best, though, like one of my mentors would say; his best was not enough! Obasanjo, to his credit, gave us some enduring institutions. Moreover, Dr Jonathan Ebele Goodluck also was another “accidental president” thrusted on Nigerians due to the ill health and eventual demise of Alhaj Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who succeeded Obasanjo. Neither of the duo had a vision of becoming president. This must not be allowed to happen in our polity whether at local government or state or federal level again! Enough of “unwilling and/or accidental” governors or presidents!! It is gladdening to read the swelling list of aspirants from the APC and PDP knowing with electioneering antecedents in Nigeria, that either of the candidates from the two most popular parties will emerge as the president aftermath of the election in 2023. It is the desire and demand of this columnist, as a followership scholar and leadership development consultant, to see more people come into the ring to battle for the tickets of both the APC and PDP.

    Followers: What is expected of you?

    Any aspirant could have a dream; you cannot stop a person from dreaming but followers in Nigeria should be interested in the trajectory of such personalities to the throne. Followers: it is high time we collectively and collaboratively, in a coordinated fashion, jettisoned venison from politicians. All sorts of “dainty meats and fresh mints” should be discountenanced. The followers, potential and registered voters, should rather engage the aspirants to see what they carry on their inside!  A man or woman that could not run his company or business sustainably, has no business in vouching to become the president of Nigeria! Moreover, there should be more interface with all aspirants: anyone among aspirants shunning debates, dialogues and discourses about salient issues of state should be discarded as the polls. Simple and straightforward! Potential followers should go forward to acquire their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and registered voters should endeavour to update their PVC’s status. In addition, the professional bodies (Nigeria Bar Association, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Medical Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Institute of Directors, etc.) and labour unions (Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress) should encourage, enlighten, educate and embolden their members to peacefully and proactively participate in the forthcoming elections with Ekiti and Osun States gubernatorial elections taking place this 2022.

     

    Conclusion

    In this series: Tinubu’s trajectory to the throne, this columnist, with the space allotted, will delve into his pedigree and profile in subsequent editions juxtaposing it with issues of state demanding urgent answers. Meanwhile, to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Pius Anyim Pius, Governor Dave Umahi, and hosts of other who had declared and are preparing to declare their intention to run, my counsel will be that offered by the 44th President of the United States of America (USA), Barack Obama: “Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” Readers, while thanking you for your interest, I look forward to meeting you on this page next Sunday.

    John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

     

  • Nigeria 2022: Permutations, postulations and projections (Part 2)

    Nigeria 2022: Permutations, postulations and projections (Part 2)

    “One of the deepest mysteries of modern Nigeria is how so big a country, filled with so many well-educated people manage to spend so much time getting nowhere…The military depredations…. would matter less…but Nigerian democracy, when occasionally it surfaced, was never a shining example of the genre.” – Economist of London

    Thinking and tinkering about the title of this week’s article brought up a peculiar episode that took place when this columnist was a teenager living with his senior brother and guardian. As the last born, there was a wide age gap between this columnist and his first born (brother). The place of abode was the city of Ibadan at that time in the early 70s. My guardian was a lover of football but definitely not in love with pool betting. Those years were the hey days of Rangers International Football Club, Enugu; Kano Pillars Football Club, Kano; Mighty Jets Football Club, Jos; WNDC (later IICC Shooting Stars) Football Club, Ibadan, etc. This columnist and guardian would listen to radio commentaries of football matches with the trio of ace commentators: Ernest Okonkwo (of blessed memory), Tolu Fatoyinbo and Emeka Odikpo displaying and depicting fitting narratives of the matches as if listeners were literally present at the various stadia watching the game!

    On a particular day after listening to the commentary of a football match, a well-known cousin to one of our neighbours, came to our abode – “face -to – face” room designated apartment with a coded message. He first intimated his cousin with it. He then came with his cousin, an elderly man, held in reference for his maturity on issues, by my brother and guardian. What was the coded message about? It was about three coded winning numbers! My guardian was unmoved and unfazed by such too good to be true winning numbers. He made light of it as he was not used to pool betting. Our elderly neighbour convinced my brother to play with not just any amount but a big amount as he would win big. My guardian gave it a thought and trial by consenting to his counsel and staked with an amount that was not as high but sizeable. We were all looking forward to the outcome. Saturday came and all the three number were indeed, according to the permutation, successful winning numbers. My brother was so elated and was expecting the windfall! He was already planning and making projections regarding how he would expend his new fund until something unexpected happened! Our neighbour’s cousin walked into our apartment in a despairing and dejecting manner. What happened?  He came to tell awful story of how he failed to take the game to the Face -to – Face Pool Betting collation centre after collecting the money to play the game from my brother (guardian)! Seemingly, hell was let loose!! There was a pandemonium within and around the house as my brother was ready to do everything possible to collect his full returns on his purported investment as he had made some postulations going forward into a new phase of life. It was a hope dashed as community of friends and neighbours prevailed on my brother to ensue and pursue peace in allowing brotherly love continues! He acquiesced even though amidst angst. The import of this story: may the hopes of many followers going into 2022, having been persuaded by pastors, prophets, clerics, imams, relatives, friends or events of 2021, be not dashed as it took place in the episode aforementioned. Follow me.

    APC and PDP: Possible implosion in 2022?

    This year is a year of the primaries preceding the elections of early 2023. In essence, much of the political activities that will shape and show how 2023 will fare will take place this year. How prepared are our political parties? How prepared are the followers? The two major political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are embroiled and enmeshed in intra-parties’ spar and squabbles, the end of which, if not checkmated and crippled could be disastrous for both parties. Worse of the two is the ruling APC. It is already being scrolled on the screen of the grapevine that the party’s national convention may no more hold in February as was earlier scheduled. If it is true, then, the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party has failed the party. The 13-member committee, seemingly strange to the APC constitution, was inaugurated on 25th June 2020. It was initially set up to be ad hoc in content and colour. Presently, one and half years, the extraordinary and apparently ‘plenipotentiary’ committee is waxing stronger by the day! Should the convention date be shifted again, then, it could be projected that the controlling and commandeering cabals in the ruling party is hell bent in holding the party by the jugular playing defensive, akin to the game of football in the dying minutes! Who knows, the Buni – led ubiquitous committee may draw out the joker of consensus candidacy thus vetoing any election via direct or indirect primary even as Mr. President asserted on his Channels TV interview of 5th January 2022 that there is a third route – consensus candidacy. Followers are watching and warming up to this political brinkmanship peculiar to our nascent democracy. This columnist will like to remind, apparently admonish, the APC founding fathers that the same way PDP was drunken with power in 2013 to 2014 that led to its implosion, the APC is heading to that inglorious route and it seems speedily as the clock ticks in 2022. However, PDP founding fathers could do themselves some good by seeking rapprochement through calming frayed nerves of members. In addition, these fathers of the party need to do a re-branding peradventure the party will be sellable to the followers in 2022. Whether these chieftains of the party consent or controvert this columnist’s counsel is better tested in the party carrying out an independent inquiry or research study to decipher and discern the thoughts of the followers in the polity as par the standing and status of the party.

    Possibility of a 3rd force emerging to wrest power?

    This columnist is fixated on the two political parties come 2023. What of other parties? Do they not stand the chance? In the past elections from 1999 till 2019, it has been either of the candidates representing any of the two most popular political parties emerging as the President and with most of the Governors belonging to the two parties. There are empirical evidences regarding this that could not be faulted by any analysis. As a followership scholar, this columnist will pontificate that until the followers are more enlightened and educated, the status quo ante remains. My counsel to National Consultative Front (NCF) comprising of the cerebral Professor Pat Utomi is to re-think, re-invent, retreat and re-strategize. In reality, the NCF should go to the grassroots and be more engaged with followers, who though may be educated naturally but are ignorant politically. These elites are pains in our neck when it comes to matters that matter to the heart in Nigeria. It is a truism that most of us elites are fixated on what will bring in money for us. Period! Hence, NCF, should seek to empower, engage and embolden followers to participate without inducement in the electoral process. Subsequently, they could seek alliance and seeming merger with like-minded political associations.

    Kudos to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu

    Yours sincerely was the guest on TVC News Breakfast on one of the days this past week to analysis the Magodo land tussle that went viral and made the recurring issue of restructuring to rear up its ugly head again! The system we are running is more of unitary that federalism though the constitution in colour paints Nigeria a federal republic. However, when one opens the book titled Nigeria, the contents depict in unmistakable context unitary system of government bequeathed to us by military interregnum and incursion! Who is afraid of state police? Who is frighted of true fiscal federalism? Which federalism globally is synonymous to Nigeria’s model? When will this country heed the hunter’s whistle so that our case will not be like the Yoruba proverbial dog that wanders into the wild wilderness and could not hear the warning whistle of the hunter! The cerebral elder statesman and legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, warned in a press release this past week that there may be no more Nigeria after 2023 if the present archaic and antiquated constitution is used in conducting the 2023 elections. How will this happen in this present political quandary and conundrum we have found ourselves when even minor amendments to the constitution is taking forever to effect with the present National Assembly (NASS)? Back to the Magodo saga, kudos to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in the matured manner of management exhibited in handling the issue. If left to flounder with few powerful state actors sitting in Abuja, it would have resulted in the loss of lives and limbs. One statement that Governor Sanwo-Olu made that should be commended was that all parties in the matter are his subjects. This is akin to the thinking of a genuine servant leader seeking to build a community of people of shared vision and values. This is commendable.

     

    • John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com
  • Nigeria 2022: Permutations, postulations and projections (Part 1)

    Nigeria 2022: Permutations, postulations and projections (Part 1)

    “It doesn’t matter where you are coming from. All that matters is . . . where you are going” – Brian Tracy

    Reminiscing this columnist’s days as an undergraduate in the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), proudly referred to as “Great Ife!”, one cannot but cherish the campus culture of discipline and diligence in the early eighties. In this period of time, Great Ife was a signature school with such shining stars of student politicians such as, Femi Falana, Wole Olaoye, Femi Kuku, Sola Ebiseni, Lanre Arogundade, Greg Obong – Oshotse, Leke Sanusi, etc. The socio-political life was full of fun with the Oduduwa Hall (main entertainment centre of the citadel of learning) oozing out with fun and frees of entertainment – no dull moment; whether one was in harmattan or rain semester! Yet, the academic life – spartan, self-denying and stringent – aping such institutions as Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, etc., aimed for excellence in diverse fields such as education, arts, medicine, technology, and social sciences. Equally blessed was Ife with such cerebral scholars such as Professors Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate), Ladipo Adamolekun, Wande Abimbola, Biodun Jeyifo, Dipo Fashina, Biyi Afonja, Makanjuola, G. A., Adesanya Grillo, Omolade Adejuyigbe, Fola Lasisi, Olusola Ogedengbe, etc.

    The university (Ife) was, in those years, known with many slangs and cliches. Of particular significance and relevant in this context is NYSC. To the uninitiated or novice, NYSC is an acronym for National Youth Service Corps. However, to the original “home born and bred” of Great Ife, it meant another thing entirely. NYSC was a slang term for “Now Your Suffering Continues”. Hence, in bidding any graduating student goodbye to the then most beautiful campus in Africa, Ife, the usual cliché was to vociferously say to him or her: NYSC! It was an unusual exchange of banters mixed with cheers between undergraduate and graduating students exiting the campus for the compulsory one-year national service. In the context of our dear country Nigeria, as we have transited into 2022, if one is to saliently and succinctly analyze the trajectory of events of 2021, seemingly some Nigerians would, in jeering and joshing mannerism, shout to high heavens: Now Your Suffering Continues, or simply: NYSC! Do you agree? Dear eminent readers, let us follow and flow along by reflecting on the events of 2021 as the premise of our possible permutations, postulations and/or projections as the ship of our state is steered through the unsparing, unkind, and unstable socio-economic and political muddy and murky waters of 2022.

     

    Electoral Act Amendment: Any Ray of Hope?

    Still in retrospect and reminisce of Ife, this columnist could recollect the electioneering process in the students’ union electing its executive members without any furore. In the then University of Ife, all students were members of the union. Hence, every student, at the point of registration, were made to compulsorily pay the union fees. The electioneering process was usually full of entertainment and excitement as well as laced with rest, relaxation and respite from the rigours of academic life Ife was wont and wired around. There was the “press night” where the articulate campus journalists would fire salvos of questions at contestants to decipher their intelligence on a range of issues. Finally, the “speech night” would follow. The speech night, most often, used to be the decider for any candidate: flounder or falter, the candidate already could be singing his or her nunc dimittis even before the first ballot was cast!

    Read Also: 2023: Unveiling contenders and pretenders for Buhari’s job

    The nagging and naughty issue of indirect and direct primaries, as perceived by strata of the citizenry in the bill forwarded to the President, had stalled the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari. In vetoing the bill, the President cited cogent reasons such as high cost of conducting direct primary which the bill favoured; discrimination (as each political party should be left in deciding which option to adopt; this is debatable to some followers in the polity); and security issues that could accompany endorsing direct primary. In my perspective as a follower, as it was made known in my appearances at both the Arise TV (Morning Show) and TVC News Breakfast this past week, these reasons are seemingly puerile, pecuniary and pedestrian in context, content and colour taking cognizance of the fact that the incumbent President Buhari is a beneficiary of direct primary in the election that returned him to power 2019. Going back to the Ife electioneering process, it is high time our electioneering process became a season of excitement and enjoyment, and not of one laced with cancerous corruption and criminal concerns. Direct primary would have allowed grassroot participatory democracy to take root, in that, candidates emerging from the process would reach out to all party members in attempts to sell their programmes rather than to “selected” delegates who are prone and programmed to the whims and caprices of super – rich politicians or moneybags who are ready to literarily “buy” delegates. It is a known fact that indirect primary turn delegates to semi – gods overnight with their votes going the way of the highest bidders. In essence, if direct primary has been adopted, it would give room for the contestants or candidates to be tested and tried with the possibility of scrutinizing and screening their profiles and pedigrees in order not to elect accidental local government chairmen, assembly members, senators, governors, and president as we seemingly have done from 1999 till date. In 2022, will the National Assembly (NASS) do anything tangible with the Electoral Act Amendment bill, in such a way as to factor in the preference of their constituents rather than pandering to the wish and will of few politicians within the corridors of power, especially state’s helmsmen as being peddled by some analysts? Time will tell! Alternatively, will the NASS courageously collaborate in disannulling the veto of Mr. President? Seemingly, the comportment, charisma, constitution, capability and capacity of the 9th Assembly do not seem to concur to such tinkering. Time may prove this columnist wrong whether the NASS has such temerity and audacity.

    Appropriation Act 2022: Query for Lawan and Gbajabiamila!

    It is a truism that governments all over the world can borrow to finance capital projects. However, there should be a framework in place to pay back such loans. Equally true is that past governments at the centre had been involved in procuring loans. Disturbing and nauseating to the citizenry is the penchant for borrowing of the present President Buhari’s administration. As at the time of writing, First News online, reported “Nigeria’s indebtedness rising to uncomfortable level” with the experts in the corridors of power proudly pontificating that Nigeria has the capacity to borrow more! Is debt a thing to be proud of? Why cannot Nigeria, my beloved country, possess the capacity, competency and capability to increase production in order to enhance her economic indices such as IGR, GDP, attracting more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), promoting, processing and packaging more goods and services for export?

    It is unthinkable in a world ravaged by Covid 19 with economies of countries plummeting that our eminent men and women of both the green and red chambers in their queer wisdom surreptitiously and subterraneously add virtually one trillion naira more to the budget and went on recess with high hopes that the President will assent the bill thus becoming an act of the NASS. It was apparently well timed and it was like the Presidency would not want any dilly – dally and dithering, thus pandering to the perception of the NASS members. It is unfortunate that there was no seeming parley between the NASS and BoF before the President assent to the bill as the news filtered in as this columnist was about

    writing this piece that the endorsement would be done by Mr. President on Friday 31st of December 2022! In this vein, as you are reading this piece, the bill has turned to an act!! Where is the pilot maneuvering us into the seeming cloudy and stormy weather of 2022? This pilot could seemingly smell and see rough weather of oil subsidy removal; unending increase in cooking gas prices; incessant rises in diesel prices that many industries depend on to be operational (many are not even talking on this and manufacturers just pass the customers the unpredictable price increase almost on a weekly basis); the probable increase of electricity tariff; and the palpable unsavouring protests that could arise from all of these especially the removal of oil subsidy. It is instructive for the government at the centre to heed the warning of the World Bank on the need to reconsider raising the tariff on electricity in the country as it could injure our fragile economy.

    The duo of the heads of the NASS should explain to the citizens what necessitated the whopping or humongous addition of nearly One Trillion Naira into the budget (source: the Financial Markets Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, half-year activity report for 2021). What are the sound economic reasons that the technocrats in the Budget Office of the Federation (BoF) could not decipher or discern that only the eminent people of both chambers could see on high towers as economic seers of the Covid 19 economy? Are they aware that we could not sustainably, as a country, fund the estimates the President presented to the NASS in October 2021without recourse to borrowing heavily? Are they conscious that presently the debt profile of Nigeria stands at not less than N13 trillion Naira? As a follower, this columnist expects answers to these questions. This column will still go further on this as responses are awaited from the offices of the highly respected Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, and the Honourable Speaker, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila. Good to apply a pause here and now.

    APC and PDP: Fasten Your Seat Belt!

    Currently, there are 18 registered political parties in Nigeria with over 100 more new applicants jostling for registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)! What a country!! However, for this purpose of this article, the most popular political parties will be fixated upon. Suffice to succinctly and saliently state here that the duo of APC and PDP should fasten their seat belts as we arrive at the precincts of the year 2022. Going further inside 2022, the year of the primaries, the political weather would be somewhat cloudy; more would depend on the sagacity and strategic moves, mannerisms and maneuverings of the leaders of the parties in piloting them out of the projected rough, rowdy and riotous weather of 2022. More to read in the next edition of “Followership Challenge”. This columnist will expect your candid feedback as you take keen interest on this page in the coming weeks.

     

    John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

     

  • African Leadership: Blest or bruised? Are we cursed? (Part 1)

    African Leadership: Blest or bruised? Are we cursed? (Part 1)

    There was an African, in his middle age, that was exasperated about career development in his native country having read and qualified as a registered civil engineer. The year was 2005. There was a particular day that he was so depressed and alone after dropping off his wife at work and children at school. That memorable morning, he wept with no one to console or comfort him! He then made up his mind to exit his country of birth. Married with four children and one of them was already a teenager enrolled in a university. His disillusionment and disconnect with current happenings in his country, at that time, resulted in a dire desperation to set out on a mission to either a European or Asian country that offered better opportunities. Eventually, he landed on the shores of Singapore on 7th June 2005. The entrance was made possible through a visa application on arrival (such opportunity no longer exists presently). It was a two-week tourist visa that was subsequently extended. Ultimately, with a divine twist, he was connected with a Christian organization that offered him a job – the only African in the organization. This job gave this African the cherished access to Employment Pass – a working visa. This is just part of this columnist’s Singapore sojourn and story; full details of which are reserved for another day!

    Why starting on this lane and line in this edition? This columnist soon settled down to the hazzle-free life of Singapore with virtually everything working at the touch of a button! Of pertinent and salient significance was a particular encounter. There was a strong desire to study further in Singapore by this columnist. The cost was unbearable and unaffordable. The determination was unyielding and undying. Eventually, the offer came to study a master degree in Organizational Leadership in an Australian university while residing in Singapore. This columnist needed a Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident holder to stand in for him to obtain a loan that would facilitate his study. I got one. The day that I and my guarantor got to the bank to finalize the loan processing, was unforgettable. We were given an appointment and asked to come with necessary documents. We did not need to see any top manager, we completed necessary documents and our documents were screened and pronto, my loan was approved and within 24 hours, the institution has been credited with the amount equivalent to my school fees! This columnist’s mind immediately travelled to Nigeria, my country of birth!! How could one secure a loan of more than ten thousand dollars (US$10,000) within 24 hours? Just like that! It was a day that this columnist saw that creating an orderly environment could bring in progress and wealth for citizens and dwellers. The situation, even in the post-colonial era, in Africa, has not changed since Ayi Kwei Armah wrote his celebrated novel: “The Beautyful Ones Are Not Born”!

    Africa: Are we blest or bruised?

    Mallence Bart-Williams spoke so passionately, poignantly albeit pertinently about the pauperization of African countries by the Western nations. It was at a TEDxBerlinSalon; available on YouTube with almost one million views globally. She was a Sierra Leonean by birth and also a German by naturalization. Lending credence to Mallence’s pontification, the raw materials of the African continent were heavily depended upon and exploited to develop the Western countries. The West “took advantage” (in the cliché of Singaporeans) of Africa. It could be squarely and simply stated that Africa was bruised and bloodied from the colonial to the post-colonial era. Equally, many African countries were so blessed with human and natural resources. However, our misfortunes or undoing was the exploitation of natural resources with little or no attention paid to our human resource development. The continent is blessed with gold, diamond, bauxite, iron, tin, timber, palm oil, crude oil, animal skin, aluminum, columbite, rubber, cocoa, coffee, tea, cashew, etc.

    African Leaders: Need to reset their brains!

    There is no gainsaying the fact that leaders of countries from Ghana to Nigeria to Sierra Leone to Liberia to Egypt to Tunisia to Ethiopia to Sudan to Kenya to Tanzania to Zambia to Uganda to Zimbabwe to Namibia to Angola to South Africa should, in this post-colonial and digital age, rejig and rethink their countries’ developmental strategies like Singapore, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), etc. did. Nobody would do this for them! The Western nations would continue to “take advantage” hedged on by self-serving and avaricious leaders in the continent. However, followers, who seem to be powerless, especially in a democracy, should know that real power is in their hands when they conscientiously, collaboratively and courageously determine to change the narrative in tandem with the words of Ayi Kwei Armah:

    “Alone, I am nothing. I have nothing. We have power, but we will never know it; we will never see it work; unless we come together to make it work.” This has been the battle cry of this column to end bad leadership in Nigeria nay Africa: followers must come together; unbowed and jettison any venison in exchange for a better and bright future.

    African Leaders: Think and Act!

    This is my response to cerebral and celebrated Mallence Bart-Williams’ seeming vituperations against the Western nations:

    Our generation in Africa is akin to the biblical Esau generation that hunts for food today and forgets processing same for tomorrow. Have we ceased exporting RAW diamond, gold, iron, cocoa, cashew, coffee, crude palm oil, even crude oil, etc. to the Western countries even in this post-colonial and digital age? We are apparently the architects of our own misfortunes in Africa. Our brains are not shut down by the western world; our greed, anti-patriotism, corruption, ignorance and avarice have led us into this conundrum. No wonder, Prof Oyewale Tomori was weeping openly for Nigeria recently at a summit! There is no application of rocket science in strategically growing and developing our economy. Equally, there is no need to engage complex artificial intelligence to end our political nightmares. Needed are genuinely sincere, frank, determined and courageous African leaders.

    Singapore produces no oil; yet possesses up to four refineries, fully functional! Nigeria’s four refineries are non-functioning and the employees engaged at the refineries are fully earning their wages! Who does that in any sane clime and developed country? I was involved in a module of a course @ Harvard Business School tagged “Sustainable Business Strategy”, when I was piqued for some days because of a real case study of Unilever’s foray with her product, Lipton Tea, in Kenya and Tanzania. These two countries are the breeding ground of Lipton Tea’s success story of decades and recently applying sustainable practice in planning, planting, production, processing and packaging the product. Why citing this case?

    These two countries grow the plant from which the highly globally demanded tea (Lipton) is produced. Africa is the breeding ground from where the dried raw leaves are exported to the United Kingdom (UK)! This has been the practice for decades!! UK’s plant of Unilever processes and packages the Lipton and sells globally with profits running to billions annually. The core and cogent point: the tax paid to the UK government runs into billions of dollars even as Africans bore the brunt of the production. One wonders: cannot the governments of Kenya and Tanzania be smarter over the years in making decisive policy that will checkmate and curtail this subjugation of both human and natural resources of their nations? Or, perhaps, possibly waiting for the UK to help them make the appropriate and timely decision?

    Why go far? Nigeria is making loud noise on subsidy mainly because we are fully dependent on importing refined oil. If we are fully sourcing our refined oil locally, possibly the issue of subsidy removal would not have reared its ugly head again! What does it take to make a decision on non-functioning refineries for crying out loud? Supposing the refineries are owned personally by President Muhammad Buhari. What would he do? Or VP Osinbajo owns them, what would he do? Keep paying unproductive staff? Not likely! Where is the patriotic fervour? The peasants are growling and grumbling under the unending upward spiral of prices of commodities especially cooking gas and diesel. Should petrol prices go up in 2022, the socio-political effects on the citizenry should be better imagined than witnessed even as 2023 beckons!

    Conclusion

    All hope is not lost however. This is to give a clarion call to all followers that as we are nearing another election year, we need to put on our thinking caps. How? There is the dire need to look at the pedigree of those aspiring to be leaders at the legislature and executive levels particularly for the offices of Deputy Governor, Governor; Vice President and President. The followers need to go further in interrogating these aspirants to decipher their intelligence quotient and emotional intelligence. Nigerians, in harmony and symphony with the proverbial saying of Stephen King: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”, if you are fooled again, it is your fault because you are seemingly alienated or passive or indifferent. As 2023 beckons, there is no sitting on the fence for followers! We, acting, conscientiously, courageously and collaboratively should pull the rug off the feet of corrupt, incompetent, epileptic and clueless aspirants or leaders in the saddle, depending on the context.

     

    • John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

     

  • Surest secret of longevity – Mama Mary Aina Ekundayo’s exemplary Life

    Surest secret of longevity – Mama Mary Aina Ekundayo’s exemplary Life

    In those days, there was always a nostalgia in the eagerness and earnestness in returning home during a mid-term break from school activities to have fun and fellowship with the family. The senior brother of this columnist, Chief Michael Oluwasanmi Ekundayo, erstwhile Clerk of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, returned home during such a break and met his mother sick. Recalling the incidence, it was a devastating and disheartening one for him. According to him, he resumed after the unpalatable break and was absent minded in the classes to the point that he was in a sort of soul travel to the mother he left at home thinking of two things: either someone will come to announce his beloved mother’s obituary or he would get back home meeting her corpse. However, neither of this ungodly thoughts came to pass. He later completed the term at his alma mater, Ekiti Parapo College (EPC), Ido Ekiti, and Mama Mary Aina Ekundayo was bubbling in sound health again! What a wonder!!

    Mama’s Life of Mystery

    This columnist was in the primary school in his home town, Ido Ekiti when on returning from school one particular day he, he met his mother at home after being ferried home on a bicycle. What happened? Mama while being deeply engrossed in harvesting crops in her husband’s farm was bitten by a poisonous snake. It was a gory and gloomy experience for the whole family of the late Pa Joseph Ekundayo of blessed memory. Amazingly, even though, in the old Western Region, Ido Ekiti boasted of one of the best health institutions at that time, courtesy of the proactive performing government of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, my mother was treated traditionally. Virtually, it did not cross my mind then, that she could die. I witnessed the traditional treatment. Mysteriously, Mama Mary Aina Ekundayo regained her health.

    Moreover, my mother suffered many cases of bearing babies and dying; what the Yorubas tagged “abiku”; similar to the occurrence of “ogbanje” in Igbo culture.. She had up to six in a row and all died at childhood! So horrible and horrendous was a particularly unpalatable episode my mother recounted to I and my wife when we lost one of our daughters in 2000. My mother was staying with us at that time to take care of one of her grandchildren. In comforting us, she recounted how she lost two of her children within ten days! To the glory of the most merciful and gracious God, she lived up to One Hundred and Eleven years and joined the saints triumphant on Wednesday, 22nd September 2021, survived by four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; this columnist being the last born.

    Longevity: Life Lessons

    In starting this column, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye’s exhortation was highlighted. He simply and squarely stated that ministering to the poor and needy is one of the surest means of attaining longevity as attested to in the Holy Writ (Psalm 41v1-2). Are the rich, opulent and wealthy paying attention? Mama Mary Aina Ekundayo exemplified and amplified this in her lifetime. It was on record that some customers of Mama’s palm oil business bought on credit and many of them failed to pay till she was too old to continue the business. She forgave them all the debts without grudging them. Mama Mary Aina Ekundayo outlived all of them and did not need that money again! Moreover,  Mama would wake up daily around 5am to pray, supplicate and intercede for her family and household. My mother so much believed in prayers. She consistently prayed for me a particular prayer point until it came to pass years after. My mother used to pray: you would work with a good government and you would be given a car. At that time, of my mother’s children, neither I or my wife, was a public servant. However, I did my PhD research studies in Malaysia and the then administration of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, graciously offered me a scholarship to complete my studies and thereafter granted me opportunity to serve as a civil servant in the prestigious Lagos State Civil Service. Eventually, I rose to become the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation in Lagos State and my mother’s prayer came to pass in her lifetime. She saw the car and entered inside while praying again for me.

    Conclusion

    This columnist, learns from both parents, the art of giving to the poor and needy. For instance, labourers competed to work on my father’s farm. Why? Baba Joseph Ekundayo would pay what he agreed with them and packed like 4 to 5 tubers of yam for them while going home! We the children were always taken aback. He, too, lived up to 103. I first heard about payment of tithe from my father, a farmer, attending Anglican Church! I do not know what Daddy Freeze and cohorts would say to that? It is too late for anyone to convince me against tithing. I saw it in my father’s life and his crops were high yielding and timely. Do you desire long life? One surest way is to, as a lifestyle, take care of the poor and needy. Let us take a cue from the exemplary life of my beloved mother, Mama Mary Aina Ekundayo who was interred on the 3rd of December 2021 at her hometown, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State at the ripe age of One Hundred and Eleven (111) years. Eye mi, Omo Owa; Omo Ekun; Omo alaye gbede-gbede boni layin; Omo osoro baba ojo; lagodo baba ademu ...

     

    • John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

     

  • Revisiting: National Values: A Tale of Two Governors

    Revisiting: National Values: A Tale of Two Governors

    Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

    IN accordance to the moral rectitude of being fair and square, there is the need to publish responses from avalanche of responses, reactions and rebuttals this columnist received, though few were veiled villifying and vindictive in colou, content and context. Presented hereunder are some of the responses:

    AGAIN DR. EKUNDAYO?

    Your column in “The Nation on Sunday” today entitled “National values: A tale of two governors” in which you insidiously portrayed Gov Kayode Fayemi as likely not having the vaguest idea of what Ekiti values should be as the Chief of State and your underhand tactic by insinuating that his integrity may not be much to write home about, using the promise he supposedly made to Dr. Blessing Aarinola Olaiya in 2018 as a smokescreen has, once again, necessitated a response from me not because of anything but your lack  of  due diligence on the two strands on which your veiled criticism of the governor rests. Please bear in mind that my response should not be construed as an attempt to gag you because it was only a few days ago that I went down this road with you as a result of another subtle inanity from you that was directed on the person of Gov Fayemi on this platform (Ekiti Future Agenda – WhatsApp platform).

    And please be rest assured that I’m not in the position to know whether or not Gov Fayemi has redeemed the promise he purportedly made to Dr. Blessing Olaiya since 2018 because that’s the other leg upon which your criticism hinged, but your inability, if not unwillingness, to holistically look at Fayemi’s interventions in the area of values orientation and his style of doing things that resulted in your crass comparison of the man with his Ogun state counterpart as I will enunciate presently.

    Your assertion that Fayemi made a statement that “Ekiti should not be known for stomach infrastructure as characterized by the erstwhile Gov Ayo Fayose” cannot be faulted and neither his admonition that “the core values of hard work and excellence for which Ekiti people are known” as demonstrated by Dr. Olaiya. But you gave yourself away, once again, as an unabashed critic of Fayemi when facts are readily available that should have enabled you to come up with sound and respectable criticism when you unintelligibly asked the governor “what are the core values we are known for in Ekiti?” as if you just arrived from Malaysia or Singapore after a long sojourn?

    Please be reminded that Fayemi, in his second coming, made “Reclaiming our land, restoring our values” his campaign mantra and he has done (and still doing) everything conceivable to making this mantra a reality in his administration of Ekiti state and even beyond. In case you’re not aware, these are some of the things Fayemi has done (and continues to do) in answering your patently mischievous rhetorical question:

    The Fayemi administration has developed Curriculum on Values Education for public schools, both primary and secondary schools. There are textbooks for these public schools on Values Education. There’s a monthly Seminar on Moral Rebirth at Ado Correctional Custodian Service Center. There’s a weekly Values Orientation Discussion on Television and Radio. There’s an ongoing two weeks camping for mentoring and personal development programs for teenagers and youths at the government owned Values Academy. These are some of the things I can readily recall here that Fayemi is doing in order to bring the restoration of Ekiti values into reality. The fact that you failed to do your homework on your subject matter before going to the market square not only calls into question your intellectual integrity, but also your objectivity as you’re wont to have your readers believe.

    While I’m not in the position to know whether or not Gov Fayemi has redeemed his pledge to Dr. Olaiya (and that’s not even the point here), you erred by extrapolating an isolated individual promise to question the man’s integrity. And this is simply a hit below the belt that must not go unchallenged.  Assuming for the sake of this response that he hasn’t, Fayemi has done far more in the institutionalization of values orientation in Ekiti State than in Ogun if you must make a comparison. And I await your countervailing response about this empirical evidence.

    Pray, Dr. Ekundayo, is it not under this same Fayemi that the School of Medicine of the State university became accredited after several years since the creation of that college? Is that not better than the amount of money and house he would have given to a single individual? What is more, most of Fayemi’s interventions for individuals are done outside of public glare and that’s just his style of doing things. So, you may never know!

    Dr. Ekundayo, as much as I believe that Fayemi must have his own critics (just as every Jesus must have his own Judas) you’re increasingly looking like someone who will never see anything good in Fayemi or his administration. And that’s why you’re now a person of interest to me especially as we shall soon enter another hot electioneering summer which your increasing underhand criticisms of the man (even though he won’t be running) may well be a dress rehearsal.

    But we shall see!

    1. FEMI ODERE, SSA Diaspora Affairs to the Governor

    Responding to Mr. Femi Odere: You think we don’t have the right to INSIST on the Governor doing the right thing? Are these the kind of people who advise Mr Governor? People should learn to calm down when questions are asked, people are trying to apply decorum in their responses and the SSA is throwing caution to the wind by labeling people all manner of subtle names.

    Mr Governor is our servant, we voted him, we can question him, we can force him to do the right thing and by the way nobody forced Mr Governor  to make a promises to Arinola only for us to be told that Arinola needs to do a follow-up on promises, really! You mean somebody who broke a 28yrs old record needed to be going to government house or calling the people in government to do what they promised to do? The SSA has failed to answer all the questions raised in the write-up and has rather focused his attention on the writer. The fundamental question raised in that write-up is still unanswered: “what are the values we are known for in Ekiti?” We were told not to talk, we kept quiet because the “omoluabi” thing understands the place of respect but the “omoluabi” thing teaches me not take it easy on bullies; this to me is bully.

    Mr Governor made a promise and failed to keep the promise; “I want to pledge before this august audience and the council, she hasn’t told me what she wants to do but whatever she tells me, she can consider it done . . . If she wants to go into houseman ship, residency or even a PhD in medicine, we will support her. It is very important to us that we restore the values for which we are known in Ekiti.”  that is not integrity, it is possible that Mr Governor forgot which is why he has a lot of appointees to do the reminding, your duty as an SSA is to remind him and not to defend what is obvious or whip up unfounded sentiments by leaving the “¹t¹ and chasing làpálàpá”. SSA should as a matter of fact move on and stop telling us how to think about a government that was elected by the people.

    Aduloju Olabayo, adubabs01@yahoo.com

    Ekiti State became synonymous with educational pursuit. We produced great scholars.We produced Professor Adegoke Olubunmo who later became the first Professor of Mathematics in Nigeria,so many became the first professor in their chosen fields in Africa.Now to the main topic.

    December 2018, something remarkable happened. We have also been producing icons in the medical profession. We produced the likes of Professor Benjamin Olukayode Osuntokun, the Professor of Neurology; Professor Ayoola Olatunde, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology; Professor Mathew Akinyemi Araoye, the oracle of Medicine, a Cardiologist of repute; Professor ABOO Omotoso; Professor Williams Odesanmi, Professor of Forensic Pathology, etc. Dr Aarinola graduated from Obafemi Awolowo in 2018 and graduated with 12 distinctions. She did not win 12 Prizes, she graduated with 12 distinctions.The clarification is very important because someone may win 15 prizes and not score a single distinction. I was in the medical school, with the way the examinations are conducted and graded, in a whole set, it will be a highly remarkable event to get 3 or 4 people graduating with 2 or 3 distinctions as medical students are examined on Theory, Clinical and orals. The examiners are drawn from numerous reputable institutions. It it is therefore a huge task for an individual to even pass let alone scoring a distinction.

    This young lady is a phenomenon . . .her performance has proved to the world the goodness of God to us to the Ekiti people. She has made us proud,.we are greatly indebted to her for showcasing us to the world as great people.Children yet unborn will read and talk about her exactly the way we learnt about the giants like Professor Ojo (aka Ojo Ugbole). .Kudos my dear sister. You are a phenomenon.

     

     

     

     

    Dr. Solomon Ekundayo,                                                                                                                                                                                          Medical Practitioner, Lagos

    Dr. Ekundayo,  interestingly enough,  Arinola’s father was in my office just  last week or two ago for some other matter, and offered nothing but gratitude to me and the state for how I had been asking after his daughter all of the time.

    After the Governor made a promise to Arinola the first time around, he handed her case for me in a memo to handle, to see how she could get to a school in the US, including Howard Unicersity. So I invited her to my OTSD office and interviewed her at length.  She clearly had a study path for herself that was different from what the State intended, including- if I remember well – doing an MPH first or something.  So I said she should keep in touch and let us know how the state can assist her.  I call her periodically to check on her. Please verify all of what I have written above and kindly return to this forum.  The Governor has no fault here at all.

    I rest my case for now.  The Governor is Not To Blame.

    Prof Mobolaji Aluko,

    Director General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery (OTSD), Ekiti State, Ado Ekiti

    Aba JMO.Ekundayo, you have said it all!

    Talking generally, there appears to be  an emerging phenomena in Ekiti that should bother all of us. This is emergence of cult of sycophants around the personality of whoever is the leader of government. This emerging cult has made mess of meaningful criticism, as any criticism no matter how good is seen as an attack on their ‘god’ – the Governor. For a State with such  intellectual credentials that we tout, this may not be good for our development. Let leadership be amenable to constructive criticism,  which will be to the benefits of all. Just my opinion.

    Mr. Gabriel Akinyemi, Lagos

    Periscoping Perspectives: Dr. Blessing Aarinola’s Saga

    Notwithstanding the piece written by Mr. Femi Odere, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA, Diaspora Affairs to the Governor, I was gladened and grateful for the inputs of the Director General, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery (OTSD), Ekiti State, a scholar and ertswhile Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, in person of the cerebral, Professor Mobolaji Aluko. He not only calmly but couthly conversed with me in virtually all Ekiti Whatsapp platforms that we belong. Furthermore, he put a call through to me just as this write up was about hitting the press. According to him, there was an ongoing discussion with Dr. Blessing Aarinola Olaiya, who now resides in the United Kingdom, that was not concluded becuase she did not formally get back to the government. He pontificated that if there shoud be any blame, this should rest on his table and not that of the Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi. I want to treasure this act: shows a true statesmanship. In the telephone conversration with the erudite professor, I was elated and excited, before hanging up, that he saliently stated that the issue of recognizing and rewarding Dr. Blessing Aarinoal Olaiya, was an open ended one. Bravo! In essence, in the words of Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”, all said and done, whatever diatribes or debate or discourse, we might exchange in whatever form of dexterity regarding this case will in no time fizzle away, but what endures is how Ekiti State makes Dr. Blessing Aarinola Olaiya feel.

     

    • John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – Harvard-Certified Organizational Strategist, and also a Leadership Development Consultant, can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com