The Best and Beast in Leadership Positions

By Fred Nwaozor

Every leadership position, irrespective of level or status, is characterized by the good, bad, and the ugly. Inasmuch as how juicy and palatable it might taste, the ordeals surrounding the highly-spiced diet might take the bearer off the track, thereby making him/her dine with ‘a spirit’.

Anyone who is yet to assume any position of authority may not actually comprehend the tune of this analysis. But if you have experienced any, one wouldn’t be far from the truth if he says you would be smiling while reading this, because you had personally dined with the aforementioned spirit and probably conquered.

While growing up, I saw myself as one who was naturally imbued with leadership skills; and in my own little way, I was showcasing it. I could informally assemble members of my peer group, and effortlessly counsel them. I was enjoying the task and relationship, not until one fateful day when one of us displayed an unforgettable character just to discredit my person.

The essence of the above reference is to indicate that, as little as we were, someone was already envying the service I was rendering to my childhood pals, even though I was obviously gaining absolutely nothing from the position. Meanwhile, this topic is informed by the need to highlight both the pleasant and unpleasant features of a leadership post, hence let me not be so quick in discussing the latter.

Leadership responsibility takes you closer to the best point; it brings out the hidden best in you. You may initially be of the view that your person lacks the ability to handle a certain leadership position, but the moment you occupy it, you would inadvertently find yourself exercising the required capability.

A leadership post serves as a motivational tool. It propels the occupant to possess the zeal to do more. It triggers that innermost motivation in you that wouldn’t have ordinarily being displayed if you never occupied the position. It reinvigorates the passion that might had left you in the past. The passion and vigour to triumph will invariably knock at your door, thereby awakening the candid quest to work extra mile towards actualizing a conceived goal. The intent to do more would keep flying in your mindset.

It attracts innovation. As the incumbent occupant of the position, there’s a natural tendency that would make you yearn for innovative ideas. You would want to do better than your predecessor; you would wish people see you as the best thus far since inception of the position whenever you eventually left. Every genuine leader is desired to leave a legacy as s/he takes a bow after tenure expiration. In other words, he wants to be reckoned as second to none, not second best.

It keeps you informed at all times. As a leader, you would always be ahead of others as regards information receipt. A leadership position gives you that desire to acquire firsthand news concerning your jurisdiction, hence would detest to receive it as stale. Of course, “information is power”, because it gives you the needed tool for adequate preparation toward averting inconsequential excuses. A leader is in a good position, and has all it takes, to be aptly informed.

Away from the fascinating intrigues of a leadership position, there are some other uncalled feelings that might preoccupy your mind, hence making you stay off the track unwittingly as the journey progresses. The position intoxicates, regardless of its status. There’s a sense of intoxication one feels while occupying a post of authority; he feels drunk on some occasions, especially when taking decision on critical issues or while addressing his subordinates. By so doing, he would mistakenly step on the toes of his superiors, or the king makers, as the case may be.

It only takes His grace for leaders to retrace their steps whenever they’re intoxicated. This is the reason a leader who does not recognize his creator, usually fumbles in the long run, thereby finds himself crumbling without pulsation. One thing you must acknowledge as a leader is that, you can never successfully do it alone without a mentor, guardian, and/or counsellor, or what have you; this is a fact you mustn’t take for granted. Leadership must be a teamwork if truly you intend to excel.

Another bitter side of leadership positions is sycophancy. I’ve in the past done a very extensive work on this; as an analyst, I took time to dissect the intricacies of the monster called sycophancy. Believe it or not, any form of leadership is synonymous with sycophancy, and the latter kills any leader who isn’t careful enough faster than poison would. It’s a tool that swiftly devours a leader, even when he is decorated with an uncommon armour.

In his words, Silver Mars opined “A friend who agrees with everything that you say and do, is worse than the foe. Beware the sycophant!” Being human, particularly a leader, you would desire to see everyone dancing to all your tunes, forgetting that anyone could err. Everybody desires to witness people’s acceptance over their opinions or decisions, let alone a leader.

While in the position, people would invariably troop in to tell you ‘sweet’ things. Your ‘friends’ will tell you how good and cleverly you are doing, but would never find time to admonish a few of your policies even when their negative implications are so glaring. You would laugh and wine with them and crack jokes together, not knowing they are actually laughing at you while awaiting your downfall. To overcome this challenge, you must possess an independent mindset; be open to all but always endeavour to think deeply over their words before accepting, or making use of, them.

In her words, Sheryl Sanberg enthused, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” It’s simply about leaving indelible footprints behind, which would speak for your personality even many years after your exit.

The bitter truth is that, a leadership position isn’t for everybody; not everyone is meant to occupy it, irrespective of paper qualifications. Though anyone can learn to be a good leader, but a true leader is unequivocally inborn. Think about it!

The Author could be reached via frednwaozor@gmail.com

X-raying The FUTO CE-sPESS Conference in Imo

Learning is indeed a lifetime process. This could be proven when most learned individuals, such as professors, are members of a gathering targeted to impact knowledge on the participants. The widely publicized 5-Day maiden International Conference on Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (ICPES - 2024), which graciously held on 12th - 15th November, 2024 in the prestigious Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) was a good example of the above assertion. The Conference whose Theme is "Key to a Sustainable Livelihood in the 21st Century", was heralded by a Opening Ceremony, which featured goodwill messages from special guests, various presentations on different topics by distinguished academics, as well as panel discussion. It's noteworthy that the Conference was gallantly hosted by the FUTO Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CE-sPESS) in conjuction with the School of Environment Sciences (SOES) of the University. In her Goodwill Message during the Opening Ceremony, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Her Excellency, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru congratulated the hosts of the Conference and urged them to keep the flag flying as she officially declared the ICPES-2024 open. Lady Ekomaru - who was ably represented by the Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor's Office, Mr. John Njoku - assured the hosting team of her support. On her part, the Chief Host and Chairman of the Occasion who happens to be the Eight Substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Mrs. Nnenna N. Oti commended the FUTO CE-sPESS and SOES for actualizing such a feat as she specially welcomed everyone who found time to grace the event. The VC, ably represented by the DVC on Academics, Prof. Emma C. Esenwa described the outing as the first of its kind. In his Keynote Address on the topic "Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards: Unlocking Sustainable Livelihoods in the 21st Century", the Seventh Substantive and the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Francis C. Eze advocated the need to fully and duly incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) in the procurement processes. Prof. Eze equally emphasized the essence of making profit, but not at the expense of the host communities or any entity that's involved. Earlier on the Occasion, the Host of the ICPES-2024, Engr. Prof. Mrs. Gloria A. Chukwudebe informed the participants that she was impressed that a Conference, which was conceived barely a few months back, came into reality. Prof. Chukwudebe, who is the pioneer and incumbent Leader of the FUTO CE-sPESS, took time to present the background and journey-so-far of the Centre to the members of the gathering. Similarly, the Conference Co-Host, Prof. J. D. Njoku notified that the ICPES-2024 was borne out of the need to fully educate the members of the society, particularly the academia and industry, the practical essence of sticking to the extant rules when public procurement is being carried out. Prof. Njoku, who is the current Dean of SOES, conscientized the participants to take the participation seriously as long as the brainstorming outing lasts. In her Welcome Address at the beginning of the Ceremony, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chair, Prof. Mrs. Roseline Feechi Njoku-Tony appreciated every member of the LOC for their laudable inputs during the preparatory session. Prof. Njoku-Tony stated that the planning was so rigorous, because the committee was expecting outstanding results. The Guest Speakers who made presentations at the event were: Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) who spoke virtually, Dr. Yakubu Aminu Dodo of the Najran University, Saudi Arabia who also presented via online, as well as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo in Imo State, Prof. Christopher C. Eze. The Panel Discussion featured the representatives of the key stakeholders in the SPESSE Project. They were: Dr. Joshua Atah of the NUC (represented by Ms Lulu Airudulu); Mr. Adebowale Adedokun of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Abuja; Mrs. R. A. Odetoro of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja, as well as Mr. Benjamin Okwesa of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja (represented by Mr. Olutimi Jacob). In his Vote of Thanks, the Steering Committee Chair, Prof. Chris Nwoko strongly thanked all stakeholders who contributed towards the success of the Conference, especially those who made out time to witness the commencement session. The 5-Day ICPES-2024, which successfully came to an end on Friday, 15th November 2024, featured various sessions, including plenary, technical, debate, exhibition, and paper presentations. The Guest Speakers during the plenary sessions from Wednesday, 13th to Friday, 15th included, but not limited to: Prof. Kenneth Amaechi of the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (UK); Dr. Vincent Ogu; Prof. Aka chief Odoemena of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Washington DC, USA. Others were: Dr. Ama of the Bangor University, UK; Dr. Muhammad Ahaker Ali; and Prof. Ernest Uwazie of the Clifornia State University, USA. Some of the participants who aired their views after the Conference expressed delight over the outing, and pleaded with the Management to ensure such an intellectual harvest is organized on a regularly basis.

Tech II Nigeria’s Job Seekers And Tech Prospects

Fred Nwaozor The number of job seekers in Nigeria increases astronomically by the day. The intriguing aspect of the unending scenario is that most of these individuals are imbued with tangible tech prowess or potentials that should rather make them job creators. The dangers inherent in joblessness are so conspicuous and frightening in such a way that everyone has become very conscious of its presence, hence invariably make tremendous effort to avert the menace.

In spite of the frantic and tireless steps usually taken by the teeming citizens and successive governments to ensure they aren’t trapped in the pothole cruelly dug by unemployment, they still overtime encounter its ruthless scourge, apparently signifying that their effort isn’t good enough or that something is really wrong somewhere. However, my last visit to one of the West African countries lately made me understand that Nigeria isn’t exceptional while discussing unemployment or that the term is not peculiar to the acclaimed giant of Africa. But, it seems the degree at which it parades its tentacles and elbows in Nigeria is so enormous that the country is ostensibly taking the lead in the comity of nations. This is the sole reason many are deeply concerned and bothered over the anomaly, hence the need for drastic measures towards cushioning the excruciating effects. It’s noteworthy that unemployment is not a personal plight but a general one, thus the essence of a societal approach in a bid to tackling it. This is why countless schools of thought have overtime shown great concern over the lingering nature of the cankerworm as well as aired their views on how best to tackle it. Though unemployment isn’t a convincing excuse to indulge in any crime, hence no discerning mind encourages people to resort to it, it’s worth noting that its scourge remains one of the prime reasons all sorts of criminal activities have escalated in recent times. Another disturbing occurrence that’s apropos of unemployment is the employability status of our present days’ graduates. It’s not anymore news that most of these youths are obviously unemployable, thus posing threat to the labour market and their chances of being meaningfully employed. The plight as stated in the above paragraph is mainly attributable to lack of adequate knowledge as acquired from their respective institutions of learning, or inability of our various undergraduates to stick to the needful while on campus. Taking a painstaking study of all these issues, it’s needless to assert that the ongoing unemployment crisis in Nigeria is not unconnected with dilapidated learning environment cum facilities, decline in the country’s value system, and insufficient employers of labour, among others. Though nepotism is highly condemnable and unacceptable, those who attribute unemployment to it might be making a big mistake because if there are sufficient firms or employment opportunities, such a practice like favouritism or what have you would hardly be detected by anyone. Before now, or in the olden days, Nigerians were gainfully engaged with various works simply because the jobs were readily available and the population was conspicuously far lesser than what we could witness now.

But with the growing lack of sustainability of various government-owned establishments coupled with the astronomical growth of the country’s population, the job spaces abruptly became overwhelmed by the number of people in the labour market. A lot has really gone wrong in the system, but the good news is that, we can once again get it right if the needful is done by the relevant authorities. This can only be actualized by revisiting the drawing board. It would be very wonderful for the government to comprehend that the endless unemployment issues can aptly be addressed by truly comprehending the real value of technology, hence embracing its measures. It’s worthy of note that only technological approach could significantly alleviate all crises that are apropos unemployment. First, we need to revamp the country’s education sector. The current educational system of the Nigerian society has really deteriorated that an urgent, candid and apt measure is required towards its revitalization. We must be ready to train our young ones with a view to becoming self-reliant in their respective abilities. Since the population is growing by the day and the firms aren’t increasing meaningfully, there’s a compelling need to prepare these Nigerians so they could emerge as entrepreneurs or employers of labour rather than seekers. Our various technical colleges, which have apparently gone into moribund, must be revived in earnest to keep the ground running. Those days, graduates of these institutions – even without proceeding to a higher level of learning – could stand on their own as well as comfortably raise wonderful families with their earnings. The governments at all levels ought to endeavour to equip the various tertiary schools in their respective jurisdictions, so that, the graduates can defend themselves in any setting and equally start up something meaningful without ‘giraffing’ for the availability of any form of white-collar job as it is currently the case.

In view of the above, the schools’ authorities must strengthen the value of the ongoing Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), which was primarily set up by the government to aid the technical upbringing of the learners irrespective of their disciplines. Inter alia, the governments need to provide enabling environment to enable all tech-driven talents to thrive as well as ensure that the available patents of the numerous institutions domiciled in their jurisdictions are duly commercialized. Research works in any quarter must also be given a due attention since technology is strictly dependent on research. Conclusively, it would be sacrilegious to beat about the bush while discussing tech-driven matters, because technology is all about facts. Hence, the government needs to acknowledge that the suggested measures can never yield significant and tangible results if we continue to relegate the power supply issue to the background. We must understand that only uninterruptible electricity can encourage entrepreneurship to a great extent as desired by the people. Therefore, this technological factor requires the highest sincere attention. This critique is targeted to express that Nigeria as a people can only aptly address unemployment-related cases if tech measures are duly deployed, hence the need not to shortchange realities. We, as a people, must collectively work to make our teeming young ones job creators, not job seekers, to save Nigeria from imminent collapse. Think about it!