WHY YOU NEED TO VOTE WISELY: A RHETORIC

Can a political party that claims to fight corruption harbours corrupt people considering the fact that corruption is a major bane to Nigeria’s development?

Can an innocent man surrounds himself with criminals and not become one?

Can someone who claims to bring a change do the same with array of questionable characters some of whom created the problem?

Can an administration succeed in giving good governance having inside it array of people who aren’t ready to give the populace good governance?

Is governance about peoples' welfare or about one man’s welfare and dictate?

Can the party that escalated problems of Nigerians in last 12 years make any meaningful change overnight?

Can a party that has aggravated the sufferings of the people in the last 12 years do anything meaningful this time around?

Can a party whose administration in the last 12 years brought about increased corruption, poverty, unemployment, insecurity, terrorism, sectarian and political violence and social economic disintegration do anything good this time around?

Imagine their position "we will rule Nigeria for 60 years"

Just 12 years down the line, we are witnessing such worrisome situation,

What then should we expect in 48 years if they still hold on to power?

It is over to you…decide now?

Can we expect a meaningful change from the same people that created the problems we are agonizing with now?

Do you know they still don’t see any wrong they have done in the last 12 years of their administration?

They still hold contrary views about the state of the nation.

The moment we allow them to continue then we become a part of the problem

If we disallow them through our choices & votes then we become part of the solution.

Remember we are the most affected and would even be the worst affected if they continue in power.

Have you not thoght that the state of nation requires an outplay of power from the present holder-PDP?

The feeble integrity of the incumbent can’t merge the dishonesty of the people around him to give us the required positive change.

Things can’t work out well with this relationship

Nigerian can’t be any better with this caliber in power

Please don’t criticize me from the purview of my comments in recent times, I am deeply concerned about the state of the nation.

I hate to self-destruct by thinking about my survival alone living-out the survival of all.

I am part of this great nation and we all yearn for a positive change!

I would have love to sit at the comfort of my room or go to the club to listen and dance to my favourite music tunes, but I realized am not getting any younger and my voice as little as it is, is needful at this time or what do you think?.

Have you forgotten we are the soul of 9ja?

Have you realised we youth feel the heat more than any.?

Don’t be too comfortable not to vote wisely

Friend, there is a lot to say now, but let’s have a rethink on our complacent nature; it’s not paying any better at all.

It is up to you, me, and us!

Vote wisely, stay and ensure your vote counts! Please don’t leave the polling booth until the votes are duly collated. Watch your vote as you will watch a bank cashier count your money.

By ’Seun Adeogun

March 2011

luseunbravura@gmail.com

5 REPUTATIONAL LESSONS FROM NIGERIA’S POLITICAL DEBATE

By ’Seun Adeogun

"It is the same with men as with donkeys: whoever would hold them fast must first get a very good grip on their ears" -Russian proverb

Recently, I saw a couple of Nigerian political debates for 2011 electoral aspirants on TV and I was a bit disappointed by the performances of some of the participants. I observed several impediments on the part of some of the electoral candidates who partook in the debate.

While some of the candidates performed very well, hence winning the interest of the audience and panel, a few who performed averagely couldn’t get the hears and hearts of the viewers and panel, they were left out psychologically..

Carol Kent, a renowned public speaker and trainer once said, "Most people make a quick judgment. If your delivery captures their initial interest, you may have the advantage. If not they may leave the room mentally and not really hear what you have to say" this really outplayed during the debate.

In this peiece, I love to share with you five things I deem necessary for anyone who desire to lead. These tips are reputation tool kits necessary for an aspiring leader.

The Need to have Good Grasp of the State of Affairs

During one of the debates, some of the aspirants do not  display a good grasp of the state of affairs. To some extent, this affected their perception. An aspiring leader ideally shouldn’t be shallow when discussing issues he proposes to address-if given the mandate. An average Nigerian knows the challenges within the polity, but as an aspiring leader, you should be holistic in understanding the "core parts of  these issues. He should be harmed with facts and figures when addressing issues. This largely, determines his competence as an aspiring leader.

The Need to Have a Good State of Mind

Having a good intelligent quotient is invaluable to an aspiring leader. In popular Chinese Aphorism, good thinking is equal to good product. A sound mind produces a sound result. Public offices are not meant for unintelligent people. Being knowledgeable and strategic in examining and dealing with public issue is important for an aspiring leader. An aspiring leader should have viable solutions to problems he is prone to be confronted with. He should understand what the office requires, prepare ahead for the task and be ready to handle issues strategically and tactically. Problem solving is a quick route to leadership. The essence of leadership is to solve people problems, perhaps service to the people.

The Need to Build and Sustain a Good Reputation

Reputation is built inside out. An aspiring leader should have have a good reputation. Consequenltyly, he should be careful what he/she say or do. his actions might be used against him at anytime. If he desire to lead, he would have to be conscious of  his habits and actions. Human beings are creators of habits. Our habits can either make or mar our aspiration. Character and attitude are essentials to a leader's reputation. People adjudge you most times, based on your  actions and decision in the past. Nothing is hidden in this world. Having a good character is quite essential to every aspiring leader. Good reputation is built gradually.

The Need to Sharpen One’s Verbal Skill and Confidence

I also observed during the debates that a section of the aspirants (debaters) who have meaningful programmes were not harmed with the required verbal and oratory prowess to persuade the audience. While one of the presidential candidates at the debate couldn’t speak English, few of them spoke badly. The ability to speak, communicate ideas, development, issues and vision is key to leadership. No matter how good a leader’s manifesto and programmes are, how well they are articulated and delivered matters a lot. Suffix to say, "Powerful tools must be matched by a great tool-communication". Elocution is a plus.

The Need to Have a Prove of Achievement

In similar vein life is about meaningful contribution to the betterment of the people. An apsiring leader need  to add value to people lives starting from his living rooom, to his neighbourhood and workplace, etc. Private victory begets public victory. It is always good to have something worthy to show for one's  efforts and activities over the years rather than having something to show against people. Leadership requires some level of pro-activity. Reasonably, you can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t lead a nation when you are unable to lead your family or local community successfully. You must start from somewhere. Ideally, public office is meant for accomplished individuals, those with proven track records in their private endeavours and capable to lead effective.

Conclusively, in the words of Dr. Stephen Covey, if you have to make a whole new contribution, you’ve got to make a whole new preparation. Being effective as individuals and organizations is no longer optional in today’s world-it is the price of entry to the playing field.