Myles Munroe in one of his leadership quotes wrote:
“The greatest act of leadership is mentoring. No matter how much you may learn, achieve, accumulate, or accomplish, if it all dies with you, then you are a generational failure”.
My admiration and respect for the man variously known and addressed as Asiwaju, Jagaban, or last man standing began in 2006 during the conduct of ACN governorship primary elections in Lagos State where through his leadership acumen was able to ensure the emergence of former Governor Fashola.
Ever since, Asiwaju has consistently displayed his leadership and man management skills to groom and nurture successful leaders not only in Lagos State, but accross the country at large. His penchant to discover young and intelligent individuals, nurture and groom them to political stardom is legendary; this he has displayed since his emergence as Lagos State governor in 1999.
But how has he been able to do this? It’s because of his leadership capabilities, including but not limited to strategic human and political development of his associates as well as his political visions that transcends our present realities but future considerations.
In Nigeria today, wherever we turn to regarding our political gladiators, we are more likely to find a Tinubu disciple, and what does that do to our psyche? It reminds us of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And when we see such people that include our present Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (GCFR) SAN, who are now movers and shakers of our political environment, performing excellently in their respective offices, we remember the visionary leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It is therefore not surprising that the number of Tinubu’s mentees in the present political dispensation of Nigeria is so long that I don’t need to list them here because they are not only at the Federal and state executives, but also at national and state legislative assemblies. These are evidences of Tinubu’s leadership prowess.
While I must admit that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has his fare share of political antagonists, it’s just because he’s human, and not perfect, just as no human being is perfect. Unfortunately, there is no person who will not have one or two negative things said about them either while holding or aspiring for a political position. Again, it’s because no one is perfect.
And so, if we really want a better, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria, Tibubu’s presidency will afford us the opportunity to build a better nation through his mentoring, management and leadership skills; to groom and nurture our future leaders/young talents by building and investing in them. Because when we build the people, the people will in turn build the nation.
Finally, the distinctive character of a true leader is not just the ability to rule well, but also the ability to nurture, and groom his associates and subordinates through talent hunting and promotion of those talents for future higher responsibilities and nation building. This is what has placed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu well apart and above his political contemporaries.
Otunba Obafemi Adenuga London, United Kingdom
24 December 2022
