In our cotemporary world of today, the need for pragmatic leaders cannot be overemphasized. Some leaders are born into leadership as heirs to the thrones of their fathers.
For this class of leaders, their subjects are at their mercy because some of them are weak while some are effective leaders. Some leaders are appointed by a group of people according to their own opinion about the Chosen One. Some of such leaders so chosen turn out to be effective and grateful, while some are ineffective and ungrateful to their makers e.g. political leaders, prefects in schools and Group Managers in companies/industries. A third group of leaders are those leaders who distinguish themselves in given situations and automatically emerge as leaders and are accepted as such. Such leaders are very effective in leadership. Such includes emergency captains in war fronts, founders of Churches, captains of industries, pioneers of political parties and other social movements and organizations.
These last sets of leaders have in them a type of zest or zeal that propels them to action in positive ways. They succeed largely, they are achievers. They have a force which moves them that cannot be stopped except by God. They have a fire that burns in them that cannot be quenched even by ‘many waters’ They are in short go-getters.
In this category of leaders include our Early Nationalists which includes Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Herbert Macaulay etc. We have in Edo State Samuel Ogbemudia, Ambrose Alli, Adams Oshiomhole etc.
In fact we heard of Samuel Ogbemudia who was said to have ridden on a bicycle from Benin City to Lagos to give Yakubu Gowon the situation report in the then Midwestern region, when the then Biafran soldiers besieged the region. According to the report, David Ejoor, the then Governor of the Region fled for safety at the sight of the Biafran troops thereby creating an interregnum of ‘no Governor’ in the Region.The bold action of Ogbemudia earned him the governorship of the region and he utilized the position very well in advancing the region in real development.
Time will fail me to talk about so many other national leaders who brought blessings to humanity. George Washington led the American Army in the Civil War between her and Britain. After the victory of America, he was appointed the Governor-General of America. He afterwards contested and won as President for two tenures. He declined a third tenure inspite of Americans’ urgings. What about Abraham Lincoln who contested and failed many elections, failed in other areas of life? When he eventually contested for the Presidency of America, Americans said “Let’s give Abraham Lincoln a chance”, and he won. He performed excellently in office. Alleluiah!
Now Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has been acting out the leadership trait in him. There is something in him that want to have expression. He was the one who formed and led the ‘Grace Group (GG)’; that protested against the dreaded leadership of the top echelon of the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. The group had the slogan ‘ No man is God’. It was this group that broke out from PDP and joined Action Congress (AC), a party which was formed by Atiku Abubakar. This was the group which helped Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to win as Governor of Edo State.
In 2012, he wanted to find expression in rulership as Deputy Governor to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole but could not because according to report, he was advised to withdraw by some Bini elders. In 2016, he again wanted to find expression, this time as Governor but could not succeed.As I indicated in my earlier paragraph, there is a fire of leadership in him that cannot be quenched.
His antecedence show that he can perform in office if given the chance. He performed well as Chief of Staff and as Secretary to State Government (SSG) in Edo State. Moreover, he has a business of Agriculture Based School where he is training young people on Agro-Based small scale Industries. He does not like laziness. He strongly believes in the Biblical saying as follows: “Seest thou a man who is diligent in his business (work), he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men.”
From all indications, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is prepared to serve; he is ready to do the job of leadership in Edo State. He is an experienced man who has interacted with the nobles and does not miss the Commons touch. I believe like a great multitude of others believe. Let us give Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu a chance as Governor of our dear Edo State.
He will not disappoint or betray the confidence we are reposing in him. So, let’s give him a chance. Amen.
Rev. Dr Raphael Oizimende writing from Ivbiodohen-Okpuje-Iuleha, Owan-West LGA, Edo State, Nigeria. 07033227427.
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