Mimiko And The Torn Down Bridges
He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees. I think opinions should be judged of by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tends to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me.
When in twenty twelve (2012), virile young men and women as if charmed came all out to support the reelection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state and forsaking all, it was with the hope that he will live up to his words, commitment, promises and covenant with the people.
"I will continue to work for you" was his matriarch but as he winds up his second term in Office, it is glaring that he worked for us as a people in his first term but failed us in the second. He claims to have done a lot and I agree that he has but alas anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.
When Philosopher Ralph Siu was asked for a bit of wisdom, he offered a story. "Observe the cormorant in the fishing fleet. Do you know how cormorants are used for fishing? A man in a rowboat has about a half-dozen cormorants, each with a ring about its neck. When the bird spots a fish, it dives into the water and catches the fish in its beak. The ring prevents the bird from swallowing the fish. The fisherman takes the fish from the cormorant, which then dives for another fish."
Just as fishermen take advantage of cormorants, leaders sometimes take advantage of followers. The cormorant is a slave to the fisherman. A true leader, however, does not enslave people, but serves them.
How much has Mimiko served us? With Salaries unpaid? (Don't ever compare Ondo state with Osun or Kogi, lest you betray Gods kindness to the people of the Sunshine state) With Students bursary owed? With deceit of employment that never was? With the enrichment of a few cronies at the agony of the many? With no regard to democratic tenet hence a planned imposition of a successor devoid of internal democracy and freewill within the party the PDP?
Confused, twisted concepts of leadership have produced dysfunctional, ineffective leaders and organizations. Governor Mimiko is chief in twisted leadership. He has learned business-based attitudes and practices of leadership. This infiltration of man's attitudes and practices of leadership has affected the state negatively. Godly, democratic attitudes and practices not business practices adapted to the state governance, must govern the state. The people is a living organism designed by the Master Carpenter, justice.
Governor Mimiko has become Controlling leader, who depends on external control, restrictions, and regulations exhibiting "I'm superior" attitude and use relationships for selfish ends. --working like dictator who do not accept input.
The Hebrew word for leader is nagiyd. The root meaning of the word is "servanthood" which incorporates being an example to people. The Hebrew word for king is malak or melech. The word, although quite neutral, can include the idea of ruling or reigning with a strong hand.
A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune. But such can't be said of Iroko of today.
Change is inevitable but for us as a people, Progress is optional.
The most important thing with communication is to hear what is not being said and what's not being said is that even the governor knows he has lost it with the people.
When you're finished changing, you're finished. Mimiko has changed so much that I doubt if there is more except for brandishing cards and like he has eternally said, he has used only one of ten cards. I see the remaining nine if they are as being useless at this point.
To work effectively as an agent of change in a pluralistic society, it is necessary to be able to connect with people different from oneself.
When enthusiasm is inspired by reason; controlled by caution; sound in theory; practical in application; reflects confidence; spreads good cheer; raises morale; inspires associates, arouses loyalty; and laughs at adversity, it is beyond price.
Leaders who can stay optimistic and upbeat, even under intense pressure, radiate the positive feelings that create resonance. By staying in control of their feelings and impulses, they craft an environment of trust, comforts and fairness. And that self-management has a trickle down effect from the leader.
This is the leader Mimiko is not and it is the beginning of the era of an end.
All said and done, the people will make a choice even if by force and the PDP will remain in power.
Ayodeji Ologun
A political analyst, public speaker and broadcast journalist writes from Akure