The Nation Newspaper

Tag: selflessness

  • Adewole at 65: Tribute to a life of service and selflessness

    The maxim that “heroes are born to do more” rings ever so true in the life of the outgoing Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole who has put unbroken nine years of meritorious selfless service into the development of Nigeria. He was about concluding his five-year single tenure as the 11th Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI) in 2015 when his sterling performance earned him the confidence of Buhari administration, thus, becoming Health Minister in a quick succession.

    Some said he was exceptionally lucky, a few other argued that the appointment was as a result of his hard work, pointing out that the best way to appreciate the diligent is to offer them an opportunity to do more. However, a number of people have attributed the success in the life of Prof. Adewole to his natural compassion for the needy, citing the biblical reference which says “blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy”. Whichever be the case, the fact remains that, Prof. Adewole who turns 65 today is, in the words of Winston Churchill, “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma” Those who are close to him may as well observe that he is a man of amazing grace.

    In the pantheon of patriots imbued with compassion and uncommon touch, he stands out. He has risen from a rustic, humble background, under quite limited circumstances to become a star with a global recognition, respect and relevance.  Having worked and walked closely with him for five years as his media aide in UI and later monitored him from the sideline following his relocation to Abuja, this writer is of an impression that Prof. Adewole is a special breed, almost at a supernatural level, with an uncommon gait that is all his.

    Indeed, being short in stature does not mean one cannot walk tall across the globe. His life perfectly illustrates this notion as he demonstrates outstanding resourcefulness, foresight and dogged determination in all his undertakings. Prof. Adewole is supremely self-confident, bold, daring and always in control of his faculties. Little wonder he ranks among the best ministers ever worked with President Muhammadu Buhari in his closing first term in office.

    If re-appointed or given another national assignment, it is certain that Nigeria may as well be waiting for the next paradigm-shattering offering from Prof. Adewole who is ever more energetic than some of the younger generation. He hardly shows sign of fatigue. Among the crop of Ministers, it is on record that Prof. Adewole is perhaps the only one who was bold enough to suspend an officer under his Ministry on the grounds of corruption,  before corruption fought back, engaging the Minister in an war of words. Unfazed, Prof. Adewole stamps his feet as a man in charge with the right value paradigms for transformation , sustainability, effective and relevant partnerships, as well as processes and procedures that ensure best practices. On his twitter handle, he daily gives his stewardships, telling the world what he does to move health sector forward. He is never among the non-performing Ministers. He is leaving exceptionally commendable precedents in office.

    A richly precocious mind, bristling with uncommon intelligence, Prof. Adewole so far in all his years of stainless and selfless services to humanity has developed a culture of working himself to a breaking point with only a few hours of sleep. In fact, only God knows when and how he sleeps and rests. Send him a text message in the dead of night, he responds as if he had been waiting for you.

    Interestingly, there are many lessons one can glean from the rich life of this workaholic Minister. With the benefit of close contact, it could be reported that Prof. Adewole is a deft minefield walker with intellectual heftiness. He is wise. He is circumspect. He does not leave his flanks open for his opponents. He fills his ears before he empties his mouth. He will not sign an document that will be used against him, neither will he engage in any deal that will dent his image. He knows that there are banana peels here and there! He is always conscious of the antics of the opponents. There was a time I stepped out of line. Hear him, “you had better go on prayer and fasting. You know you are working in a hostile environment, yet, you want to play into the hands of your opponents, be careful” Prof. Adewole does not joke with prayers. He believes prayer is a weapon with which he can soar and he has not been disappointed as he embarks on various routes less travelled, creating his own path, and directing his passion in the desired direction.

    Besides, he is a cultivator of acquaintanceship, radiating interpersonal magnetism, drawing all and sundry closer as light attracts moths. Prof. Adewole who has mammoth followers as a result of his amiability, believes nobody succeeds without synergy. He has thus become an expert in dealing with various strata of the society. Without doubt, he is an achiever extraordinaire. It is more amazing that he never gets discouraged even when his motives are misjudged. With pure fidelity to facts, he is ever re-strategizing, rebuilding, rehabilitating, reconstructing, and reconciling, always giving his time, treasure and talent to the task at hand, just as he handles issues with magisterial skills.

    However, if immortality means being remembered, then, it could be said that Prof. Adewole will not be forgotten in a hurry as he lives in the hearts of thousands of people whose lives he has touched positively.  For example, Many of those he employed while serving as UI VC are still praying for him till tomorrow. The beneficiaries of his kindness even claimed that it was their prayer that facilitated his ministerial appointment! A multi-dimensional personality who has found many ways of assisting humanity outside the confines of donation and benefaction, the out-going Health Minister simply derives joy in alleviating people’s problem. Clearly, Prof. Adewole is a transcendental icon who deserves to be celebrated all the time.

    In his tribute, the Director, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, (NIMR) Prof. Babatunde Salako described the out-going Health Minister as a phenomenal personality whose devotion to duty, love for humanity and service to fatherland deserve national accolade” Prof. Salako further remarked that Adewole’s achievements as Health Minister would not be forgotten in a hurry given his passion and enthusiasm towards lifting health sector out of the woods. Corroborating the same sentiments, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Prof. Jesse Otegbayo pointed out that Prof. Adewole’s contributions to the health sector remain legendary. According to the CMD, “the out-going minister understands the problems in the sector and spiritedly tries his best to proffer solutions. He seems to have silver bullet to many of the challenges. He deserves our applause”

    With his gift of the gab, Prof. Adewole has a fascinating way of shaping the tone and texture of public discourse. He is an engaging conversationalist. He can’t even be caught off guard. His greatest asset is his belief in God and himself. So far, so good, his strength has been tested, his performance has been proven. His modesty, graceful airs and rich mind certainly stand him in good stead always as  he conducts himself with class and decorum. The UI community feels happy that Prof. Adewole serves the country without compromising his integrity for a filthy lucre. A cock which is owned by a family has crowed for the entire country to wake up! He has done well.

    As he marks his 65th birthday today, it is my prayer for my boss and mentor who employed me against all odds that, may the moon of mercy continue to mother Prof. Adewole with milk and mirth. May he live much longer before he becomes an ancestor. Happy birthday sir. Born on 5th May, 1954, Prof. Adewole attended Ilesa Grammar School from 1966-1972 . And even at that tender age he was a role model to his schoolmates on account of his good conduct, exemplary character and exceptional brilliance. He obtained Grade 1 with Distinction in his West African School Certificate in 1970 and scored AAC grades at the Higher School Certificate Examination in 1972.

    He enrolled as a National Award Scholar at the University of Ibadan in 1973. He obtained his MB BS degree in 1978, winning the Glaxo Allenbury Prize for the best overall performance in Pediatrics. He underwent further medical training in Nigeria, becoming a Senior Registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in 1984. He then proceeded to the United Kingdom for a Research Fellowship in the Department of Medical Oncology at Charing Cross Hospital in London. He obtained the Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCOG) in May 1986 and the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) in January 1994. He became the UI VC December 1, 2010.

     

    • Saanu is Media Assistant to the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan.

  • XMAS: Only humility, love, selflessness can stop violence says governor’s wife

    Pray for peaceful elections, WIFE of the Lagos State Governor Mrs. Bolanle Ambode yesterday urged Nigerians to imbibe the teachings of humility, love, selflessness and fairness, saying that it is only in practicing them that violence can give way for unity and love to reign supreme among all people.

    Speaking at the 2018 Christmas Carol Service at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Mrs. Ambode said that despite Jesus awesome glory, He came into the world with disarming humility, reflected in His carriage, interaction and all that He did, saying that if people could do same, the world would be a better place.

    She said: “Dear brethren, imagine what the world would be if everyone had the qualities of Jesus Christ. It would be a world without hate and violence, where love reigns supreme, ensuring joy, peace and complete harmony, among all people and all nations.

    “Of course we cannot be Jesus Christ, but we can imbibe His teachings and strive hard to emulate His qualities of humility, love for all, fairness, selflessness and consideration for fellow humans, among others.

    “If we succeed in doing these, we would do less of preaching to bring non-believers to the vineyard, as our lives would be perfect examples and model that would convince the multitude to come to God. This way, we would have a world where love and Godliness reign supreme.”

    Making reference to the theme of the Carol Service: “The Light of the World”, the governor’s wife said the event was put together to appreciate the magnitude of undeserved suffering that Jesus went through for mankind and express same with solemn songs of praise.

  • Selflessness? Ask the ants! (7)

    I want to begin this article by being sincere with you. This is the most difficult piece I have ever written! I contemplated this topic for days, even weeks; trying to figure out how to write this. Of course it is a lesson from the ants but ant-life appears to be less complex when it comes to selflessness. To appreciate my dilemma, think of these: how can we talk of selflessness in the world where only the fittest are expected to survive and they lord it over everyone else? How can we think of putting other people’s needs before ours in a world of scarce resources and abundant opportunists? How can we consider others who are already obsessed with themselves?

    It is pretty difficult to answer these questions. Everything in our lives centres on what we have to gain. So, when we do good we keep looking around the corner for our reward. What if our reward doesn’t lie in other people’s appreciation of us but in the fulfilment we derive from the act? There is so much to reflect on here but let’s learn from the ants:

    • Ants share their secrets: when a scout ant finds a source of food, for instance sugar water, the ant drinks as much as it can- not for itself but for its nest mates. The sugar water is stored in the ant’s social stomach. When the ant returns to the colony, it recruits others by sharing with them some of the food and they all return to the source for more. In contrast, humans tend to hide opportunities. This may be understandable in competition with opponents in business but deliberately withholding information from teammates is selfish.
    • Ants sacrifice for the greater good: every colony has just a queen but all female workers are potential queens. The queen produces a scent that spreads across the colony to inform the ants of the health of their queen. For as long as the scent remains strong, female workers remain infertile and will not release their eggs to maintain order.

    Selflessness is forgoing our personal benefits for a greater good. Many organisations are full of workers in transit; people who have their own visions and goals, who would sacrifice the corporate goals to achieve their own. The greatest enemy of selflessness is fear. We fear that people would take advantage of us or that we would lose out. We fear that we may never be duly rewarded for our sacrifices. It is this fear that leads to selfishness. However, selfishness closes us up to opportunities while selflessness opens us up.

    A selfless person can never lose out because selflessness builds character and character makes a leader. If the people around you are defensive, take another look at your leadership style. The moment people see that you intend to take more than you are willing to give, the survival instinct will take over. As individuals, we should see selflessness as a virtue that helps us to build character. As leaders, however, we must realise that we have no right to demand what we cannot give. If a CEO cannot take a pay cut to save the company, why should the employees? When we create an atmosphere of trust and fairness, people will be willing to be selfless because nobody will take advantage of them.

    I look forward to reading your comments and stories of great successes. Share your views with me by sending SMS to 07034737394, visiting www.olanreamodu.com and following me on twitter @lanreamodu.

     

  • My late mum taught me selflessness -OMONI OBOLI

    My late mum taught me selflessness -OMONI OBOLI

    For Omoni Oboli, 2015 is turning out to be the year of outstanding and mind-blowing achievements especially after she was announced as Nollywood/Entertainment Personality of the Year 2015 by The Sun newspaper, taking over from popular music producer, Don Jazzy, who won for the year 2014 and she signed an ambassadorial deal with popular family dairy, Nunu Milk, a few days ago.

    Omoni Oboli’s stellar performance in “The Figurine”, “Render to Caesar” and “Anchor Baby” established her as one of the most talented actresses in Nigeria’s movie industry.

    In 2014, she had released her first directorial debut “Being Mrs Elliot” and it was widely considered as the game changer in the Nollywood industry. To top that, the movie did exceedingly well at the cinemas. It was a massive hit in film houses throughout the last quarter of 2014. The movie which starred Omoni alongside AY, Majid Michel, Lepacious Bose, Uru Eke, Seun Akindele, among others, earned rave reviews from industry professionals and top media practitioners.

    The impeccable actress did not rest on her oars, and in 2015 she also wrote and directed “The First Lady” which cast included Alex Ekubo, Joseph Benjamin, Yvonne Jegede, Chinedu Ikedieze, among others. The movie surpassed her previous movie in box office earnings and also earned her cult followership across the federation. The tour she embarked on with other cast members to promote the flick endeared her to her fans that had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of their heroine.

    Omoni Oboli now sits atop the throne as Nigeria’s number one trending actress of 2015. And she has a lot to be happy about. She has just penned an endorsement deal with Nunu Milk to become their brand ambassador. This new development is a testament to her growing influence and popularity among Nigerians.

    With her huge achievements in the year, who influenced her while growing up?  Oboli revealed that her late mum taught her selflessness. According to her, “I have always had that mothering instinct and I think I got it from my mum and her selflessness. I have always been a mother even before having kids. Everyone will be like ‘oh, stop mothering us’. My mother taught me everything I know about being a great mom! All I do is follow her example. She taught me humility. She is the reason I know that pride goes before a fall.”

    The screen goddess who writes all the scripts for her movies noted that a good script starts with the story: “The story first of all has to be captivating. It has to be a story that if I am telling it to you, you will be enraptured, you will listen, and you will love the story. So, the story itself before being written has to be captivating. Then the writing style is also important, you know, the dialogue shouldn’t be just plain. The way the story is being developed is also important. If I tell you the story and you like it doesn’t mean that it will be a great script. If it is not developed properly, if the scenes are not crafted properly, it might come out looking bad. So, the crafting of the scene is very important and the dialogue is also very important.”

    So how is life as a movie director? The graduate of New York Film Academy (NYFA) revealed that her first love will always be acting, though she loves being a director. “Being a director makes it possible for me to give birth to what I write. I have always been writing since when I was a little girl. I love writing. When you write and someone else directs it, it takes on the life of that person, really. That is why they say a movie is by a director. The fact that I brought the money to shoot the movie doesn’t make it my movie, but it becomes my movie when I direct it, because that script is from my point of view, that script is being seen from where I am standing. So, for me, directing means being able to give my script my DNA.”

    She has been married for 15 years, how does she juggle between her career, marriage and motherhood? The Nunu ambassador was quick to say that it is not easy. “Every woman, every mother knows that it is not easy. It is the same way a woman who works at the bank finds it difficult to balance everything.”

    She continued: “You are juggling so many balls and you are trying to make sure you don’t drop any of the balls. It is difficult, but if you have a good support system, it helps a lot better. If you have people at home who help you cook, clean and do whatever it takes to care for your kids, including a supportive husband, it helps.”

    Frankly, the mother of three revealed that sometimes one of the balls may drop. But one does not need to condemn oneself when this happens. “Every once in a while one of the balls will drop. The thing I found is that, don’t beat yourself up when that happens, because what we do as mothers, wives or anything we are, is that anytime we drop a ball, we start to feel guilty. You know this whole self-condemnation that ‘I am not a good mother’. In today’s world, both parties work that is the only way to make ends meet except for the fact that you are a multi-millionaire which most of us aren’t. A lot of billionaires’ wives still work, because they want a sense of purpose other than just sit at home. Don’t beat yourself up. Do the best you can, pray, commit everything into God’s hands and keep moving.”

    What’s the secret of her success in marriage? “Communication is the key and the decision to stay married by both parties. I am in this forever, so I would do whatever it takes to make it work, and the friendship that you share is also very important,” the talented actress noted.

  • Oath of selflessness

    Fifty-two graduates of the Department of Radiography and Radiological Science, College of Medical Science, University of Calabar (UNICAL), has been inducted by the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN). STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.

     

    The Department of Radiography and Radiological Science in the College of Medical Science of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was agog last week.

    No fewer than 52 graduates of the department were inducted by Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) into its fold.

    The colourful ceremony was held at the Centre for Teaching and Learning Excellence Auditorium of the institution.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke, while declaring the ceremony open, described the graduands as “tear rubbers”, urging them not to violate the ethics of the profession. The VC told the inductees to always aspire for knowledge to boost their career.

    Noting that Nigeria still lacks required personnel in the profession, Epoke advised the graduands to practise the profession in accordance with the RRBN oath of engagement.

    The Provost of College of Medical Science, Prof Maurice Asuquo, said the rigorous academic training received by the inductees would shape their character and journey in the profession.

    The provost, represented by Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Prof Victor Ansa, said the students must bring their training and character to bear in the practice.

    The Dean of Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Prof Francis Useh, noted that the school had graduated more than 1,000 radiographers, imploring the inductees to use their knowledge to improve service delivery in the health sector. He said they must always show attributes of sincerity, honesty, dedication and selfless to excel in the profession.

    While administering the oath on the inductees, the RRBN Acting Registrar, Mr Michael Okpaleke, urged them to effectively use radiographic equipment and techniques for their practice, advising them against unprofessional engagement.

    Okpaleke said it was part of the ethics of the profession for practitioners to conduct themselves in professional manner, provide service to humanity, respect patients’ rights and show them care irrespective of their conditions.

    The Cross River State branch Chairman, Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), Mr Otu Asinyang, welcomed the inductees into the association, admonishing them to aspire for knowledge.

    The Acting Head of Department of Radiography and Radiological Science, Dr Ndubuisi Chiaghanam, congratulated the inductees, saying their licences should be a reminder of the trust reposed in them by the school and the public.

    In his lecture titled: Team working in diagnostic imaging, Dr Samuel Inyang, the guest lecturer, emphasised that teamwork was all radiographers to develop the profession. He said the aim to achieve good quality radiographic images could be accomplished if practitioners worked as a team.

    Highlights of the event included presentation of prizes to students who distinguished themselves in the use of equipment for diagnostic radiography, radiography techniques and clinical proficiency. There was also presentation of Provost Award of Excellence and prize to overall best graduating student.

    Mfon Moses Friday received four awards, including Best Graduating Students, Best Student in Equipment for Diagnostic Radiography and in Radiography Techniques and Provost Award for Excellence.

    Responding on behalf of the inductees, Mfon described his feat as a product of hard work. He praised the department’s staff for devoting their time and energy to give them quality training in medical imaging science. He advised his colleagues to show good attitude to work and render selfless service.

    Epoke announced an automatic employment of Mfon in the Radiography Department as assistant lecturer. The appointment, according to the VC, will take effect after Mfon’s internship and National Youth Service.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, one of the inductees, Chukwuemeka Obuegbe, said: “It has been challenging years all through the training. We were taken through rigorous process in basic medical and clinical sciences but I thank God it has ended, having taken the oath of radiography practice. I am indebted to my parents and my lecturers. I promise to uphold the virtues of humanism and care for the wellbeing of patients. I will abide by the oath and ensure that every patient gets good service.”