Three Stories on Leadership
- Seward’s Vision
US 24th Secretary of State, William Seward, was confident that the US needed to buy Alaska from Russia who occupied the territory in the 18th century. So when Russia approached the US for the sale of Alaska, one-fifth of the United States land mass, Seward grabbed it with both hands. It was only by a vote he got approval for the $7.2m purchase in Congress in April 1867. Russia formally transferred the territory in October 1867. Alaska has turned to be a major oil, gas and gold mine and also a strategic defence for US and Canada.
If you look at Alaska on US map, you will imagine how that’s part of the United States. It was better to be part of Canada. However, for Seward who was ridiculed and whose act was called foolishness, he has been proven to be right.
Leadership is a function of vision and being able to listen, offer compelling arguments and communicate it. It might not be easy, it might be foolishness because it does not align with current reason but it ends up being the best thing to do.
2. Nixon & Sani Abacha
I have learnt people don’t turn out as perfect leaders and even the most flawed leadership have great things in them. However, there is a trait in leaders that trumps everything. It is character. President Nixon was disgraced out of US Presidency. Nixon was not a bad man after all. He made the great trip to China that heralded a trading relationship, he ended US catastrophic Vietnam War and also the gold standard, making the dollar the undisputed international reserve currency. Now these were decisions that made a difference in years to come but these never mattered because Nixon was involved in the Watergate scandal — wiretapping the opposition’s building.
Nigeria shared over $2.2bn as NLNG proceeds last year, a great relief in a time of fiscal crisis. In fact, Nigeria has already accrued over $12.9bn in dividends and benefits from NLNG. Goodluck Jonathan’ government partly invested this money in Olokola and Brass LNG. It is more looking like a waste of resources day by day as core investors have pulled out. However, who made NLNG, the highest tax payer not just Nigeria but West Africa, possible? It was an investment decision started by the maligned General Sani Abacha.
In the life of a leader, the character is very important. Most times it is not what you do but character to be forthright and stay with high ideals actually define the legacy.
3. Mr/Mrs Fix It
Here is an old story of mine on leadership but let me add few points.
We know politicians can say anything to win votes. I have always taken that politicians only have “brothel arrangement” with their followers. To some politicians, most citizens are not useful more than a five-minute experience with a whore. They are laughing with you, listening to you, eating corn with you but when they get it, when get their orgasm, when they “shake off their trousers” and you are nearly an irritant when you ask questions.
My last stand on leadership is summed on this campaign poster of Buhari. I know people have been called “wailers”. Leadership is taking responsibility and fixing the issues.
Leadership — Vision, Character and Responsibility.
I am not an expert on this issue. What else will you add?
