The Nation Newspaper

Tag: leadership

  • Leadership crisis engulfs pro-Biafra group

    Leadership crisis engulfs pro-Biafra group

    For 15 years, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has become one of the leading pro-self-rule groups in the country and has been assiduously agitating for the Sovereign State of Biafra for the Igbo.

    Formed in 1999 by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, a soft-spoken but strong-willed lawyer, MASSOB was initially pushed aside with a wave of the hand by prominent Ndigbo as one of the self-serving and militant groups. Based on this, it was rejected by the very people whose interests it vowed to protect.

    It was not until 2005 when the founder, who declared a secession of the ‘Biafra Republic’ from the Nigeria and consequently clamped into detention alongside other members of the group for treasonable, that some Igbo leaders and international organisations began to regard MASSOB as a group fighting for self-determination on behalf of the people, even though such attempt through a civil war failed.

    As a non-violent organisation, MASSOB continued with the sensitisation of Ndigbo in Nigeria and in the Diaspora on the need to support the agitation for the actualisation of Biafra Republic. Most wealthy Igbo businessmen and politicians, who had sympathy for the group, took over its funding, even though they could not publicly identify with it.

    With time, MASSOB did not only evolve into one of the major pro-self-government groups, such as the Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), among other groups, but became the voice of Ndigbo, especially in the face of seeming intimidation or harassment by other ethnic groups.

    But like every other such organisation, the movement is threatened by leadership crisis that has engulfed it.

    No fewer than four members of the group had been killed, with several others wounded in the leadership tussle between Uwazuruike and some aggrieved MASSOB Commanders.

    The cause of the crisis, according to the commanders, was the leadership style of their boss, who they accused of fraudulently enriching himself from the resources meant for the struggle and his expensive lifestyle.

    The last incident occurred at the national headquarters of the Movement in Okwe, in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State, when Uwazuruike allegedly ordered the ejection of the commanders and MASSOB security officers who had earlier seized the secretariat.

    According to sources, fighting started at the administrative headquarters of MASSOB as early as 7:30 a.m. when armed thugs numbering over 5, 000 invaded MASSOB headquarters on the alleged orders of the MASSOB leader, to dislodge the commanders who had earlier taken over the premises.

    Speaking with our correspondent, the National Secretary of the Movement, Comrade Ugwuoke Ibem, Ugwuoke, confirmed that they were attacked by thugs allegedly recruited by the embattled leader, adding that the thugs stormed the headquarters with sophisticated weapons but were resisted by the Commanders.

    Ugwuoke said: “So many people were wounded in the early morning attack and those people were not members of MASSOB. They were hired from Onitsha by Uwazuruike to assassinate us because we challenged his style of leadership. But we overpowered them and have taken over the headquarters of MASSOB again. Uwazuruike has turned the struggle into a personal property.”

    Continuing, he said: “Our crime was telling him to reduce the amount of money paid as dues by poor members of MASSOB who toil monthly to pay money into his personal account. As I speak with you, over N20 million is remitted to his account monthly, while those who died in the struggle are abandoned in the mortuaries.

    “What we are saying is that we can no longer be used by Uwazuruike to enrich himself. While we are dying, he is busy buying houses and exotic cars; we cannot continue like this anymore. We are calling on Igbo leaders to intervene because Uwazuruike has used the blood of innocent Igbo youths, who are killed daily while obeying his orders to make money.”

    Also, the leader of the Biafra Defence Mission, Comrade Ndubuisi Igwekani, warned that if swift actions were not taken to call Uwazuruike to order, the security situation in Igbo land would be seriously compromised.

    He said: “We have called on Igbo leaders, especially Ohanaeze Ndigbo to call Uwazuruike to order because his kind of Biafra was not the one Ojukwu fought for. He has abandoned the struggle and now uses the MASSOB as a means to extort Ndigbo; we are out to stop him no matter what he does.”

    However, to resolve the crisis, some of the aggrieved members met with civil war veteran, Col. Joe Achuzia, who advised against the pursuit of a sovereign state.

    The delegation, headed by Ndubuisi Igwekani, (aka Agu Biafra), agreed to drop the Sovereign State of Biafra to adopt the State of Biafra instead on the advice of Col. Achuzia.

    Further revealed that the visit was to solicit the assistance of the Ohanaeze chieftain on how to avert the impending bloodbath in Igbo land over the alleged betrayal of the Biafra struggle by Uwazuruike.

    He said: “After the death of Odimegwu Ojukwu, Achuzia is the next Biafra leader. So, the MASSOB leaders and commanders visited him to complain about the fraudulent activities of Uwazuruike and to ask him and other Igbo leaders to prevail on Uwazuruike to put an end to spilling of the blood of innocent Igbo youths.”

    Achuzia, who confirmed the visit in a telephone chat with our correspondent, revealed that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, was opposed to the adoption of Sovereign State of Biafra.

    He said: “When I was the Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, we told Uwazuruike that he should drop the ‘Sovereign State’ in the group’s name because you cannot be talking about sovereign state within another state. But now that the members have agreed to drop the ‘Sovereign State,’ we can now know how to intervene.”

    The group also raised an alarm over looming bloodshed in Igbo land if measures were not taken to tackle the crisis rocking the group.

    In a statement signed by the Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, the Movement said: “We see the development as another evil plan to sacrifice the blood of some members due to the face-off between Uwazuruike and the Nigerian Police with regard to the unwarranted death of some members from Onitsha who came to dislodge their fellow brothers at Okwe on the orders of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

    “The death of our members from Onitsha has exposed the selfishness and insensitivity of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike to the members. He does not care for the well-being of members. He has always used us to popularise, revive and shoot himself to limelight without regard to the welfare of the members. The wives, children and families of dead members are not taken care of.”

    However, in a swift bid to exert his authority, the embattled MASSOB leader expelled the Director of Information and his personal security aides for what he termed gross disobedience.

    Uwazuruike, at a general meeting of the group at the Ojukwu Memorial Library, Owerri, the Imo State capital, accused the expelled members of inciting other members to rebel against the leadership of the group and other anti-MASSOB activities, stating that they were working in concert with politicians to destabilise the Movement.

    In a statement issued at the end of the meeting in which journalists were debarred, and signed by MASSOB’s Deputy Director of Information and Uwazuruike’s Personal Assistant on Media, Maxi Chris Muocha, the MASSOB leader warned that the affected persons would no longer represent or speak on behalf of MASSOB in any capacity.

    It also cautioned the public not to transact any business with the expelled members on behalf of MASSOB or the leader, stating that anyone who ignores the directive does so at his or her own risk: “Any person or group that does business with the affected former officers, does so at his or her peril.”

    But the expelled spokesman challenged Uwazuruike to announce his purported expulsion from the struggle and face the consequences.

    He said: “Muocha, who is my junior in the struggle, cannot announce my sack. Let Uwazuruike announce it and I will expose his secrets of how he betrayed the Biafra struggle back then in prison to regain his freedom which members were not aware of. I will also expose the secret documents he signed with agents of government for Nigerian unity.”

    He further vowed to let MASSOB members and entire Ndigbo into the secret behind most of the actions taken by the MASSOB leader.

    “I will expose why Uwazuruike ordered the sit-at-home in June, which was mistaken as a boost to the struggle and how he took bribe to ensure the killing of MASSOB members whose corpses were found floating on Ezu River in Anambra State.

    “I will also expose to the members and Ndigbo why the international communities were no longer responding to the Biafra struggle as was the case in the past. I will equally expose how he has been spending the millions accruing from dues and levies paid by poor MASSOB members on women and drinks.”

    Efforts by our correspondent to get Uwazuruike’s views on the development on phone failed as he did not respond to calls and text messages sent to his phone. But  Muocha, said the purported crisis did not affect the Biafra struggle nor has any effect on Uwazuruike’s position.

    “Those behind the crisis are just insignificant few who are sponsored by politicians to destabilise MASSOB,” he said.

  • ‘Why my 30-year-old marriage is fresh’

    ‘Why my 30-year-old marriage is fresh’

    Renowned marriage counsellor and preacher, Rev.(Mrs.) Funke Felix-Adejumo, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on her 30th wedding anniversary and sundry issues. Excerpts:

    You hold women’s conference with many reporting a new level of submission they embrace after the meeting. What exactly do you do to them?

    There is nothing I could have done to them; that must be absolutely God and His grace. As a woman, I believe I am raised to validate womanhood; to let the women know that they are not slaves and should not be subjugated. But at the same time, they must honour their husbands, the authorities that God has placed over their lives.

    So, it is that balance that I teach. A woman can live up to the point that her husband respects her naturally. He does not see you as a liability but as a blessing. It is not every woman that a man can beat. When a man knows who you are and what you have contributed to his life, he won’t go there. And when you give him the respect that his leadership deserves, he becomes your friend literally.

    To what extent do you think a woman should be submissive?

    A woman should be submissive in the context of the Bible, which says to honour and respect your husband. But don’t let him make you feel small. Don’t let him abuse you physically, psychologically, financially and emotionally. And when your life is endangered, get out. You may not divorce but go out and seek for help.

    It is someone that is alive that can talk about marriage. Many women have been sacrificed on the altar of marriage and it doesn’t start once. There are always signals. If a man disrespects you and slaps you while you are dating, why go into marriage with him? You can remain single for life and be safe.

    A woman submits to the extent to what the Bible says. You honour your husband but you must know when the man is violating your human rights, your Bible rights. You don’t submit in the name of love until you are dead. You don’t go out to work, make money and give it to man who beats you up and sleeps around with prostitutes.

    That is not submission; that is stupidity. That is foolishness and I don’t believe in that. If you are married to an ungodly man and you are dressed for service on Sunday. If he stops to ask where you are going to, I believe you don’t start picking quarrels with him. You don’t say, ‘I’m going to church and there is nothing you can do about it.’

    You can’t say and do that because you are a wife. The first thing to do is to remove your hat and gear, then sit with him. Then you can say, ‘My dear, today is Sunday. I’d like to go to church please.’ He will come down because you have disarmed him. But when your life is in danger, submission at that time becomes stupidity.

    But what kind of help is available these days? Should they involve the law, government or family?

    To me, divorce is the last option. The Bible does not even support divorce. I don’t believe in it but there are situations where you don’t have a choice. I know because I have counselled people. No marriage breaks overnight. Every marriage goes through at least seven stages before it breaks.

    Once you have noticed your marriage is becoming abusive, one you speak with him. If he doesn’t listen, get someone that is close to him. If he doesn’t listen, involve the family. If he doesn’t listen, involve the church and pastor. If he doesn’t listen, involve the traditional ruler of your town. If he doesn’t listen, involve the police.

    At that point, you have tried. Some men are abusive because their wives have not stood up. They think they can just take it. If he keeps slapping you every day and you don’t talk, the eyes will soon get blind.

    What have you done to make your home work?

    We met 32 years ago. Next Monday (tomorrow), our marriage will be 30 years. My husband is incredibly rare. I’m telling you the truth because no liar will get to heaven. I’m well travelled but I have not met men like my husband. When we met, he told me that we must be transparently honest. That there is nothing we should not be able to tell each other. Two, that no matter what happens, we would not divorce.

    Three, he said that I must not die under his shadow. That he wanted to help me to fulfil my potential that even though I’m his helper, he has chosen not to be an African husband. That no matter what I wanted to become, he would help. When he said that to me, I decided I’d do him good all his days.

    One day, I said to God in the place of prayers that if he fails, God should hold me responsible. So, everything that has the signature of Felix Adejumo, he knows that all he needs to say is that I should take off. I’m so off that he would need to draw me back sometimes. God told us when we married that ‘I am in the midst of thee.’ So, even when we have misunderstandings, we are conscious that God is between us.

    We are the best of friends and we are always together. We don’t even have friends outside ourselves. And in 30 years, nobody has ever settled anything. We disagree as a couple sometimes because some two years ago, our children said they wanted our kind of marriage that we don’t fight. My husband had to educate them that we also disagree on many things.

    How do you juggle work with ministry, considering that you are always travelling?

    Yes, we travel a lot but it just started about ten years ago. I had to wait to consolidate our marriage before I started travelling. Our kids have grown up too. When they were young, we didn’t travel. We agreed to stay at home. We have this policy in our home: God first, marriage second and God’s work third. That is the order and our children understand it.

    Our children are grown up now and we are freed up a bit. My husband travels a lot too but people don’t know because he is quiet. He just sneaks in and out. He is in France, South Africa and everywhere. I go for women conferences and you know women’s meetings are always louder.

    I have a very understanding husband. After the Lord Jesus, my husband is the wind under my wings. He cheers me up. We don’t spend quantity time together but we spend quality time. When I realised that the Lord has given me an itinerary ministry, we take advantage of every opportunity. We hide a lot. We go to the market together even now.

    How have you kept your marriage fresh in all these years? 

    There was a time we were in South Africa together in one bush. Where we were you couldn’t get to except they sent you to us. So, our marriage is fresh because we service it every time. It’s been 30, in fact 32 exciting years. My husband proposed to me August 31 and I agreed September 8, 1982. We got married September 8, 1984.  

    One thing that has helped us is that we communicate a lot. If my husband is not in the country, we can speak 50 times a day. You won’t believe it. I’d call and say, ‘Hello darling, I’m going to the bathroom’, ‘Hello darling, what colour should I buy?’ When we are not together, we are together. He knows where I am. He knows what I’m doing and when the wind is blowing.

    I know what he is doing and all that. In 30 years of our marriage, if I want to collate the number of days we didn’t pray together, it is less than one week.

    How do you achieve that?

    It is always on the phones, especially when we are not together. We have our quiet time together. We lie down on the floor. We pray together every day, no matter what happens. Even when we have misunderstanding, we still pray together. I may not say Amen very well but we still pray.

    Sometimes when we wake up, we can talk for two hours before we pray, especially when we have anything to resolve. My husband will say to me ‘God is not a task master. Let’s resolve this first.’ If I leave you now and you ask him some questions, he’d give you the same answers.

    We are very appreciative of God and each other. We don’t take each other for granted.

    If you were to change anything in you, what would that be?

    I would change, though it is not possible. He is too busy. One day I said to him, ‘Darling, if the devil can repent, you would have taken him to God.’ There is nobody he gives up on. He would say let’s try again. But, me, I am different. My husband is patient a lot. I can help, but I move on quickly.

    I don’t like disloyal and ungrateful people. Once I see those signals, I am off, but my husband will be like ‘He can change now, let’s try again.’ My husband taught me how to walk with God. Just looking at his Christian life inspires me.

    What would be your advice to couples contemplating divorce?

    Please, there is no perfect marriage anywhere. Do your best to save that home. When you divorce, it is your children that suffer most because you remove the cover of life over them and the rain of life beats them.

    If you leave this spouse, do you know what the next one will be? In 30 years of marriage, I can tell you that a good marriage is expensive. So be ready to pay the price and you will be glad tomorrow. There is no marriage that is so bad that God cannot change it. Let’s go for counselling, let’s pray and let’s change.

    What’s Mother’s Summit all about?

    It’s a five-hour non-stop prayer meeting for our children. It is simply a praying meeting. Different people come to lead the prayer sessions. It is the fifth edition. In Lagos, it’s on November 1 at All Seasons Plaza, opposite Cadbury in Ikeja. It’s from 10am-2pm.

  • Student presents book on leadership

    To prepare the youth for future leadership, a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, has written a book titled: The exceptional leader.

    The writer, Aliu Oluwafemi, a CAMPUSLIFE reporter, unveiled the book at a Students’ Union Leadership Conference held in the 2,500-capacity hall of the university. The event was graced by the Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Prof Oluyemisi Obilade, Director of Outreach, AfricanLiberty.org, Adedayo Thomas, Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology Prof Sanni Lateef, a politician, Hon. Iskilu Akinlade and Mr Aanu Damola, who reviewed the book.

    Aanu said the book came at the right time, given the leadership crisis facing the country. This crisis, he said, is evident in the monumental corruption, bad followership, indiscipline, contempt for rule of law and insecurity.

    He said the work was not out to examine the cause of bad leadership but to provide panaceas and thoughtful solution for generations of Nigerians. He described the writer as “passionate for human developer”.

    Aanu said the 80-page book would introduce readers to basic concept of leadership, noting that the author divided the work into three parts – the man, the piece and the work. He also said the book explained the activities of the writer in organisations and enterprise.

    He said: “The six-chapter work gives vivid descriptions from the author’s characterisation to the meaning of leadership; why leadership matters. It also discusses the values, skills and principles of leadership, and challenges before an exceptional leader, with personal examples from his experiences. The piece did not fail to make mention types of leadership styles, qualities of exceptional leaders, and a self-help guide to taking up the mantle of leadership, especially as regards leading self, and leading others.”

    The book highlighted steps to build the values of character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence and discernment.

    Damola Morenikeji, a writer, urged the participants to share the knowledge contained in the book.

     

  • Ikuforiji advises youths on leadership

    Ikuforiji advises youths on leadership

    Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji has admonished youths in the country to step up their participation in politics and governance to ensure leadership change.

    Ikuforiji, while addressing a group of youths under the banner of National Youth Council of Nigeria who paid him a visit in Ikeja at the weekend,  advised  them to shun activities that are capable of jeopardising their future and the spirit of the nation.

    The national leader of the group, Comrade Deolu George, urged the Speaker to declare his intention to contest for the governorship election in February, 2015.

    Ikuforiji, in his response, expressed his gratitude to the youths for reposing confidence in his leadership quality.

    He said: “Having worked as number three citizen of this state, approving budgets of nine financial years and overseeing the implementation of policies and laws passed by the House of Assembly, I am convinced that I have all it takes to govern our dear state and take her to the next level.  And  in due course, I will make my intention known to Lagosians. “

    The speaker bemoaned the attitude of youths in leadership succession, urging them  to arrest the trend.

    “The percentage of the youth taking  up leadership positions in the country is abysmally low. If the youths, which possess 60 per cent of the voting power can still remain powerless and be suffering, then you should blame yourselves for self-denials,” he said.

  • ‘What I learnt from Imoke’s leadership ‘school’

    ‘What I learnt from Imoke’s leadership ‘school’

    Patrick Ugbe, one-time Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Liyel Imoke and later Information Commissioner is currently the Cross River State Commissioner for Youths and Sports. In this interview with some reporters, Ugbe speaks on the leadership style of the governor, the forthcoming National Sports Festival and sundry issues. Excerpts:

    You started off as Chief Press Secretary to the governor and later morphed into Commissioner for Information and then Commissioner for Youths and Sports. How were these transformations like?

    Basically, there are more or less, one and the same because they all entail building the image of the state, that of His Excellency. It is also about communication with the publics – internal and external public. It is about taking the activities of the government, the programmes and achievements of the government to the people. And for that, I think there is a very thin line that divides that. The only difference is that you sit as a head of the policy maker in the ministry whereas the other one you are always there with His Excellency. But I must say that the experience has been quite humbling. There is nothing that gives greater joy than to be in the service of your people and to be of service to people. For someone like me, I don’t think I can derive greater joy from any services than the service to the people. I have enjoyed every beat of it even as challenging as it has been. I give God the glory. I thank most especially His Excellency who gave me the opportunity. It is a rare privilege. He gave me that opportunity to serve the people and believe that whenever this tour of duty ends, the people themselves would look back and say here is the man who served his people diligently.

    How did you take it, as you said, before you became a commissioner, you were not involved in policy formulations. From Chief Press Secretary, you were on the rise: what where the expectations?

    The expectation for me, in any assignment, is always to ensure that I give my best and to ensure that I succeed. We all read Things Fall Apart and we know the major problem Okonkwo had: Fear of failure. And I think some of us had that fear of failure. We don’t want to be seen to fail in any assignment we are given. So, I will burn the night, work for 24 hours to ensure that I achieve success. That is my driving principle in life. So, when that step up came for me, I don’t think it was that which I should find difficult to manage. It was still within my area of focus. Besides, it is all about administration. It is all about management. I came from the private sector where I have gone through several experiences and had to run a private business from the scratch and built it to a reputable level in the industry. So, I was coming from that background and experience and did not think the management of human and material resources would pose any problem to me. Again, the way we function in Cross Rivers State, you would know that we work as a team. Nobody works as an island in Cross River State. Even as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, I was involved in the overall information management of the state.

    Coming from the private sector where things are done to strict specifications and all that, do you feel like fish inside the water suddenly finding yourself again, in the public service because the two are far apart from each other?

    In a way, they are not far from each other. It is the experiences you have had that you bring to bear in whatever assignment you are given. In this case, I ran my affairs in a very professional manner. And everyone who had had an encounter with me, who had had to deal with me, will tell you that I deal with them in a very professional manner. Yes you would say there is bureaucracy in government, but there is a way you can walk around that bureaucracy and make things work.

    Moving from information to sports, you cannot say that things are still the same – different programmes, policies, ideas, personnel. And it came at a time when the state was bidding to host the national sports festival. What were the fears? What did you find strange or different?

    I would not say that I found anything strange or different. Let me say that they are both equally challenging, with different types of challenges. However, it is paramount to note that the principles of management are the same. So, what stands you out is your passion to perform. And in this case, it is all about the passion for success. I have always been very passionate about sports. As a broadcaster, I did virtually everything. I reported business, entertainment, sports. Somewhere along the line, I knew I had to specialize and I focused on one – sports. So, I knew virtually everything about sports. And like I said, the principles of management are the same, it is how you apply it that matters. So, moving from information to sports was not that strange to me. The state had already won the hosting right for the 19th National Sports Festival before I was appointed the commissioner for sports. All I had to do was to prepare the blue prints for the successful hosting of the festival. The state already had a comprehensive sports development plan before I came. All I had to do was to build on that programme and ensure its success. So, it was not really strange to me.

    What would you be remembered for as commissioner for Youths and Sports?

    What I think I would want to be remembered for is the fact that we tried to make Cross River State a destination for sport in Nigeria. Before I came onboard, not so many people in the country would refer to Cross River State as a destination for sports. But when I assumed responsibility as the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, I keyed into the overall vision of the State Government, its tourism vision. I have always said that sports is the number one tourism drive in the world. The most recent examples are there. Look at what happened in Brazil with the hosting of the World Cup. Millions of visitors were in Brazil and left with lasting memories of that visit and would return there again. Look at what happened at the Common Wealth Game in Glasgow. A great number of people visited and would return because of the great memory they had. If you look at these, you would see that sports is the number one driver of tourism in the world. And I built on that to see how I could bring to the state so many sporting events. We have been able to do that. We had swimming, it is known all over that the home of the Super Eagles is Calabar. They are relaxed when they are in Calabar and so they don’t play with tension. We have had athletics here also. And now, we are preparing for the National Sports Festival which is like the mother of all. So, at the end of it all, we would have achieved in making Cross River State a destination for sporting excellence. And I would be happy if am remembered for that.

    Would the National Sports Festival be considered as the high point of your tenure as Commissioner for Sports?

    Yes, because the festival, as I do tell people, is our own Olympic Games. There is no other event bigger than the Olympic Games in the world. And being privileged to be the one at the saddle here in the state when we are hosting it, I think that would be the highpoint for me and God willing, I would ensure that with all the resources available, we would ensure a successful event.

    I recall sometimes ago, His Excellency spoke well of you when you were moved to be the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, despite some people’s initial doubt about your ability to perform, how did that go down with you?

    I was really touched and humbled. It is humbling when such comments come from your boss. I give God the glory because I have never failed in any assignment given to me. I give His Excellency the credit for his foresight and his ability to spot talents. He can see through and know that this man would be able to deliver. And that was why he decided to move me to the Ministry of Youths and Sports. He might have moved me knowing well that there is a job to be done and needed that job to be done. And I am very happy that I did not disappoint him.

    I remember quite well when we were before the House of Assembly, before confirmation, a day before the swearing in, someone made a comment and called me Patrick Ugbe the Commissioner for Information, I said no, am not going to be the commissioner for information but a commissioner in a different environment this time. The person doubted me, wondering where else a commissioner for information can function. I told him that His Excellency would shock them all. It was as if I already had fore knowledge of where I was going but deep in my mine, I wanted to go to Sports because I felt that something needed to be done there and that I had the capacity to do it. And I thank God it went according to the will of His Excellency. For youths, I had this feeling when I stepped in, because my father was the first Director of Sports in the modern Cross River. He worked in Youths all his life and retired there. So, me being sent back there, was the Hand of God.

    A lot of people have said that His Excellency is one man that retained all his commissioners and political appointees so far, how would you assess such a consistent leader. Was it because of continuity? What can you say on this?

    What I can say is that, he is a great leader. He is a statesman. There are very few people like him who see leadership the way he sees it, who see governance the way he sees it. One thing we should understand is that there is government, whether it is Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke or anyone else. And there is Cross River State. The actors can come and go but the government is government which means that a man who came before you, would lay his own blocks, the man who comes after would build on those blocks, because we are all building, serving the people. We are not serving ourselves. And in doing that, you must understand that the people you have appointed to serve go through processes – the processes of orientation, getting to understand what service is all about – before work begins. A sensible leader is one who allows that because we gain from experience. You might have had a background in management but the practical is through experience. A great leader should not change the experienced and winning team for a new team, that would have to learn all over again in service delivery to the people. But that does not mean that if you find the ones that are not performing, you won’t pull them out and bring in fresh hands that would add value to what you are doing. So, for me, he is a great leader who understands the art of governance, leadership. He has seen it all. He is one man who has been in the legislature, in the executive and in the private sector. He understands administrations, he understands leadership, he understands governance perfectly well. Whatever he is doing, he is doing it in the best interest of the administration and the people.

    If you look at Imoke’s cabinet, it is made up of future generation. Is this in accordance with what he has always espoused, his new generation philosophy?

    Let me start by saying that he has never overlooked the older generation. He believed in the admixture of all ages. The experiences of our older colleagues matter a lot and when the old and young come together, you would have a perfect mix that brings success and progress to the state and the nation as a whole. Nevertheless, he is one person who believes in generational change. And if you notice what he is doing with his foundation, he is developing leaders for tomorrow. He believes that the young people he has in his cabinet are developing so that when his own generation leaves the stage, the state, and which is the model that should be copied for the country, would be left in good hands to ensure continuity. So, yes, it is his philosophy to generate future leaders for the state and the country.

    People have always described Governor Loyel Imoke as calm, cool and collected. What is your assertion?

    Just as he is, he is always cool, calm and collected. I have never seen him ruffled, which is why I describe him as cool, calm and collected. There are several instances to buttress this description. I would mention one: In working with him, with all the travels, you find yourself in several instances of turbulence in the air, when you see people disturbed, he is never ruffled or disturbed.

  • Youths get leadership training in US

    Some young Nigerians have arrived the country after a two-week  leadership training and mentoring in the United States  of America.

    The youngsters, who were drawn from  different  secondary schools,  attended a  Global Youth Leadership Programme  were accorded a rousing reception  at the Prince  Georges County, Maryland, which also featured  notable community leaders, including Dr. James Dula, a retired Airforce  chief, Dr Frank Forka, Director  of Africa Trade Office USA, Rev. Michelle Agnew, Director of Youth at Greater Mt Nebo in Maryland  and members of CTU news crew.

    The scheme was initiated by Mrs Remi Duyile, a youth advocate, to expose and engage  Africa’s young leaders  between ages 10  and 17 to  where they can learn best practices, have positive mindset and ultimately, ‘I can do’  attitude and spirit  at a very young age. The young Nigerians interacted with leaders of strategic institutions that collaborated with the programme.

    They enjoyed a tour of the White House, the official residence of the US president. They also had the privilege of sitting in galleries of the America’s Senate and Congress where they watched the legislative arm of the US government in session. Thereafter, some of the pupils interacted with some of the lawmakers and community leaders, who lectured them on how leadership qualities could be imbibed.

  • Leadership in sport organisations

    In my continued quest to resolve the puzzle characterised by the disposition of our various sports organisations to leadership, I came across a very pertinent variable that has the propensity and capacity to either develop or retard the development of sport in Nigeria.Today most organisations in the world are adopting new methods of solving problems, which many would refer to as strategic change structures. However, less can be said about our various sport federations, associations and clubs as it relates to having a seamless transition or leadership change.

    Leadership change in this context is not the mere change in the office from one person to another, it is the overall change in leadership as characterised by the availability of enduring administrative structure that is relative to each sport organisation with specific reference to the modus operandi of leadership change.

    It has been found that a company’s culture has a direct impact on revenue and profit. Recent research indicates that a variance of 28 per cent in revenue and profit can be explained by differences in organisational culture and climate.

    Thus, a more positive and healthy organisational culture and climate will impact directly on the bottom line of its organisational achievements. Of even greater interest is the fact that leadership style is seen to have a significant impact on company culture.

    The way that the leaders behave will directly influence the culture. The culture in turn will directly affect the profit, therefore it is vitally important that leaders at all levels in an organisation understand the impact of their performance to the overall organisational mandate. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the variance in organisational climate can be explained by differences in leadership styles.

    Whereas we can say, that part of our problem in our sport federations and associations can be rightly placed on the feet of the terrible leadership as exemplified by the quality of persons occupying the leadership positions in some sport organisations in Nigeria. These persons most of whom got to the said position by sheer manipulation and in some cases outright imposition lack the necessary prerequisite qualification to be saddled with the responsibility of leading sport organisations in Nigeria.

    The role of leadership in sport organisation should be looked into critically if we must get it right in our drive towards the attainment of sports excellence. Because we have in the past years been out of favour or should I say unlucky with the quality of persons who occupy sport leadership positions in Nigeria.

    We must redefine the process that produces leaders of sport organisations with a bid of putting in place structures which will in the long run produce quality individuals with the necessary skills and expertise of managing sport organisations. It is only right and proper that we get these structures in place so as to prevent an occasion for mediocre emerging as leaders of our sport organisations.

    Sport like any other critical sector is key and fundamental towards the sustenance of international recognition of any country and it is a platform of international diplomacy. Hence, we must be concerned about the quality of persons that occupy leadership positions in our various sport organisations. The fact is that sport is a brand projector and must be administered by those adequately prepared for the role of leadership.

    We need to have men and women of integrity and by this I mean people that are of high standards that are not reviled but that are well respected. We need to see people with the requisite academic, professional and managerial pedigree.Those that have managed successful organisations, of similar magnitude men of truth, honour and vision

    We need people that will be able to show the needed leadership and not those that are going there because of what the office can provide for them. We need to filter the process that begets men and women that are made leaders of our sport organisations in Nigeria. I strongly believe that the National Sports Commission(NSC) can lead in this direction by developing a structure that would stand the test of time and thus put in place mechanisms that will see  only credible persons emerge as leaders of our sport organisations.

    Those of us that are core professionals cannot do it alone. We need experts in business management to be brought on-board and the NSC should also work with coprate Nigeria and the academia in developing an enduring structure that will help in setting specific criteria that will be used to determine the quality of persons emerging as leaders in our sports. A word is enough for the wise.

  • Leadership award holds

    Leadership award holds

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Minister of Agriculture, Mr Akinwunmi Adeshina; Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Oluseyi Makinde, an engineer and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are among the beneficiaries of this year’s Southwest Leadership and Enterprise Awards,

    The event, which was organised by Softmark Communications, was held at the Mauve 21 Events Centre, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    Ajimobi got the Best Performing Governor Award; Adesina (Best Performing Minister), while Makinde bagged the Most Philanthropic Politician Award at the event.

  • Building a critical mass for leadership

    Building a critical mass for leadership

    What are the qualities that would make a woman stand out and be singled out for leadership positions? In this encounter with some women who have been entrusted with leadership roles, Yetunde Oladeinde takes a look at the challenges and the way forward for women.

    Political, social and economic empowerment have taken the womenfolk closer to their dreams. More women are now being elevated into roles and they have begun to reshape their dreams, leave a remarkable legacy as well as set a pace for the younger generation of women.

    As women continue to make significant strides in different spheres of life, it is also important to look at ways to remain relevant in mainstream politics.

    These were some of the topics x-rayed by the African Women Foundation for Nation Building recently during its annual conference tagged ACOWINB 2014 from June 4-6 2014 at the Barcelona Hotel, Abuja Nigeria, with the theme: ‘The Role of Women in Nation Building’.

    Speakers and resource persons at the event included Professor Mike Kupolati, Barrister Elizabeth Ayodele of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Representative of the Director General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Umar Masari, Mrs Kemi Adebayo, MD Bold moves Capetown, South Africa, Madelein Mkuru and delegates from countries like Ethiopia led by Mekedes Mecuria.

    The presentations took critical look at the challenges facing women in public life and how to be able to make a difference in their various communities. Issues around building a critical mass for good governance, youth empowerment, networking and entrepreneurship skills were examined.

    In a thought-provoking presentation, Mrs Ayodele of the EFCC took the women through the need to be law abiding and careful in the process of nation building. She also admonished the women to stand out and always strive to leave a legacy behind.” Women should go out there to make a mark. This is possible because as women we can adjust and multi task. You must help your community, your family and take good care of yourself. You must have your own life and give birth to great ideas, give birth to something that would live after you have gone.”

    According to the international president of the organisation, Mrs. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi: “This is simply a vehicle for WINB to honour and put the spotlight on remarkable women doing remarkable and extraordinary things in Africa.”

    The targets, according to the Amazon, include “Any woman in business or the workplace who is the founder or co-founder of a new project, product, service or concept. The award is also for any woman who has been a part of building her nation in the economic sector, the political sector, human capital development and the business sector. It must be original, have the potential or capability of having an impact in the society and the nation at large such as providing a better quality of life or creating jobs or wealth.”

    Jaiyesimi adds that “Women’s participation in nation-building is an important ingredient in achieving an equitable, peaceful and more prosperous society. A society that shows greater concern for the rights of the weaker strata (women and children) is less likely to initiate violence. It has been proved that economic and social developments are strongly elevated when women enter the marketplace and participate actively in nation-building. Gender equity and women’s inclusion are vital in shaping a more democratically stabilised and developed society. Incorporating women in nation-building process as much as possible will help facilitate these.”

    African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINB) is the Pan African Women Foundation that will provide a balanced scorecard on political leaders, corporate executives and all other leaders involved in nation building. WINB is set to transform African women for effective nation building. This is meant to address women issues and not to be influenced by political or religious interests, but with a passion for positive change.

    WINB will make opportunities available for women to brainstorm on issues affecting their welfare, status in society, roles in governance. They will also be aided to generate practical and achievable solutions to any identified problems or challenges. WINB’s work is to involve all African women who share the view that the input of women should be recognised and valued in the economic and political equation of our nation states in Africa.

    During the gala and awards night, outstanding performances were rewarded. Two gentlemen, Architect Yomi Lawal and Barrister Allen Onyema of the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, bagged awards recognising their contributions to nation building and peaceful co-existence in the country. Other recipients included the first female majority leader in the House of Representatives, Hon Mulikat Adeola Akande, Fifi Ejindu, Medinat Emovon, Bolu Olutayo, Patience Dickson, amongst others.

    Hon Mulikat Akande also threw her weight behind the need to empower women aspiring for leadership positions across the country. “I believe that women are not yet there. It is therefore important to do anything you can do to help no matter where you come from.”

    She adds: “I use this opportunity to pledge my support for the organisation, whether I am house leader or not. The position is transient but I am first and foremost a woman.”

  • New Biafran leadership emerges

    A new Biafran leadership emerged, at the weekend, with the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, at the head.

    Scores of Biafran war veterans, who attended the event, vowed that they would not rest  until the republic was invented.

    A multi-million naira cenotaph was unveiled in memory of those it called its fallen heroes during the Nigeria/Biafra civil war.

    It said its agitation for freedom from Nigeria would continue until the Biafra Republic was invented.

    Kanu spoke at Ngwo in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, during the maiden commemoration of Biafra Day on May 30, the day the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra in I967.

    Kanu said it was regrettable that despite the declaration of the “No victor, no vanquished” after the civil war in 1970, successive governments including the Goodluck Jonathan administration had marginalised and made life unbearable for the Igbo.

    He urged the Igbo across the globe to join the crusade of putting in place the Biafran Republic, adding that it was time the Igbo pulled out of Nigeria, which he described as a failed nation.

    Kanu said it was painful that 47 years after the civil war ended, Federal Government had refused to pay soldiers who fought on the side of Biafra their benefits and entitlements, whereas their counterparts in the North and West had been paid.

    The Radio Biafra boss said despite the odds, they remained grateful to the late Ojukwu and others who laid down their lives for the struggle.

    He warned the Federal Government not to hinder the proposed republic, saying  it should allow the will of God to be done by letting the Igbo go.

    Kanu wondered how any right thinking fellow would want to remain in a nation where he or she had no stake or recognition, stressing that the Igbo would soon move from bondage to the promised land where God had prepared for them.

    He said 47 years after Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra, the reasons that led to his decision were still evident in Nigeria.

    Kanu decried the sufferings of Nigerians, following corrupt and bad governance.

    He said as long as the intention of the amalgamation of the North and South was designed to cheat the latter, the nation would never move forward, because any country that made injustice its watchword would never prosper.

    According to him, no amount of National Conference can solve Nigeria’s problems because the leaders are not sincere and there is deep-rooted hatred among the citizens.

    Kanu said the only panacea for Nigeria’s problems was to split it into regions, enjoining the Igbo to embrace and keep faith with Biafra, which he assured would come to reality.