News
Developing Yourself for Effective Leadership (Pt. 1)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“It is the role of every wise man or woman to help one another to put the ‘kid’ in the ‘king’ to sleep in the day, when work calls, and to wake the ‘kid’ in the ‘king’ at night when it is time to rest. This is an indication that only a ‘teachable’ spirit can help us build and re-build ourselves to the perfect stature as ordained by God Almighty for the true display of the authentic leadership role that Man has been called to display before other creations. It is, therefore, clear to us, as peoples, corporates and nations; that true leadership starts from within because no one can give what he or she doesn’t have in possession. Your world ‘within’ awaits you, so as to be able to furnish your world ‘without’”. – Tolulope A. Adegoke
The book of reveals Proverbs 24:3-5,7 (KJV) reveals that: “3through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.”
It is pertinent to note that every house, home or relationship is built and maintained by Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.
Wisdom – is a divine encounter into strategic realms to flourish, which is mostly imparted on you when you seek God for it. James 1:5 (KJV) unveils that: “whosoever lacketh wisdom, let him ask from the Lord that giveth it liberally” – that is why it is the combination of two major words: Wise and Dominion which equals toWIS(e)DOMinion (that is, only the wise dominates). These operational words elevate you into kingdoms or territories as a commander (goodly and Godly Manifestations). Wisdom comes in packaged ideas that look so little because it operates just like dynamite. It comes in small packages, such that you would almost ignore it or underrate it at first; but if adopted guarantees DOMINION which could be split into Do–MINI–ON and On.
Knowledge – This is the combination of three (3) simple words, which are: To KNOW, to Lead, to be LED by counsels, instructions or principles you have been exposed to either by reading (books), experiences or tutelages (Mentorship) or teachings from higher vessels, as these would give you EDGE over others
Understanding – Two cogent words and meanings can be derived here: Under, which connotes submission, while Standing could be said to be elevation, that is, consistently forging as a result of our daily subscriptions to sitting at the feet of masters to learn, observe and do (act) or apply with imparted wisdom in dimensions and realms for desired results beyond the ordinary as long as you remain humble and meek (open to be consistently filled the right values and not being full of your “will” (self). Until you come under knowledge, you will not successfully stand, let alone soar! Until you come under the tree of knowledge, you are likely to die under the scorching heat of ignorance!
So, developing effective leadership starts from empowering yourself, your home, family, before you can advance into the corporates and nations. That’s why God made Adam, first, then later created Eve from what has been made. He started a family, first and later made nations out of them. You must therefore engage the above principles called: Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding to build yourself, first; so as not to become a disaster or a burden to yourself and your partner and even to those connected to you in life and destiny (which may be called generation).
You also need to understand that your life, home, relationships and whatever that you may be building at the moment can only be glorious to the degree of your personal or individual development. It is most important that you build yourself, first.
Take for example, the sensitive roles being played by Deborah, Esther, Sarah, Ruth, amongst others in the Holy Book; you would realize that it took the wisdom (powered by grace) for them to have succeeded, not only for themselves but for their entire generations. The Book of Proverbs 14:1 (KJV) shows us that: “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” In other words, it requires Godly wisdom to build and re-build a house, whether it is a man or a woman. Every wise man or woman maximizes the effects of his or her husband; so it is our duty, to start from within before we launch out to the outside world. It is wise to save yourself first, within, before you go out to save another so as to be able to stand the tests of time. It is important to understand that in every kid, there lies a king; and in every king there lies a kid (the same goes for the Queen also). So, it is the role of every wise man or woman to help one another to put the ‘kid’ in the ‘king’ to sleep in the day, when work calls, and to wake the ‘kid’ in the ‘king’ at night, when it is time to rest. This is an indication that only a ‘teachable’ spirit can help us build and rebuild ourselves to the perfect stature as ordained by God Almighty for the true display of the authentic leadership role that Man has been called to display before other creations. It is, therefore, clear to us, as people, corporates and nations that true leadership starts from within because no one can give what he or she doesn’t have in possession. Your world ‘within’ awaits you, so as to be able to furnish your world ‘without’.
Thank you all for reading.
Watch out for the Book titled: “The Power of an Empowered Zero” (Awakening The Giant Within You) byTolulope A. Adegoke. Foreword by Dr Yomi Garnett (CEO/Chancellor, Royal Biographical Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.S.A., U.K., Abuja, Nigeria.) Edited by Ola Aboderin
Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, has cautioned against calls for self-defence from mauruding bandits and killer herders, warning that such a move could plunge the country into anarchy.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi responded to recent comments by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who urged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and armed attackers, particularly in Benue and Plateau states.
General Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, had argued that reliance on the government for protection was no longer tenable given the spate of violence and killings in the country.
“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” Danjuma said during a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday.
But Governor Namadi rejected that approach, describing it as a dangerous path.
“He (T.Y. Danjuma) is a very senior security person, and his words deserve respect and analysis,” Namadi said. “But I think if you say citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, you’re causing anarchy. I don’t think we’ve reached that level yet.”
He argued that rather than encourage armed self-defence, the government at all levels must continue to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
“The government is doing its best in terms of security arrangements. If you allow the people to defend themselves, that means you are encouraging a crisis between farmers and herders,” the governor warned.
Namadi cited his administration’s approach to resolving the long-standing farmer-herder clashes in Jigawa State as a better alternative. According to him, when he assumed office, he prioritised non-violent conflict resolution strategies.
“When we came in, we decided to employ a lot of strategies and tactics, including dialogue,” he said. “We engaged traditional rulers, as well as representatives of both farmers and herders. We sat down, reached a consensus, and established standing committees to reconcile all parties.”
He added that these efforts helped halt a decades-long conflict:
“The people now understand that the 25 years spent fighting and killing each other were not worth it. Today, they are able to work, interact, and live together in peace.”
Governor Namadi further noted that Jigawa is currently not among the states facing severe threats such as insurgency or mass killings by bandits. Instead, the primary challenge had been farmer-herder clashes, which his administration has successfully curtailed.
“We thank God that Jigawa State is not affected by insurgency or insecurity for no. The major issue we are dealing with is the herders-farmers clash, and we are addressing it decisively,” he said.
Despite the worsening security in other parts of the country, Governor Namadi insisted that self-defence is not a viable solution and could deepen the crisis:
“So, I think the government is doing its best, both at the federal and state levels. The issue of asking people to defend themselves — I think we have not reached that level yet.
Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, has revealed that the North will, in the next six months, take a stand on who to support for the presidency in 2027.
He boasted that no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region.
In a video interview he granted in Hausa language, Baba-Ahmed, who appeared alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, lamented the state of the nation and urged northerners to resist divisive and deceptive politicians ahead of the next general elections.
He said: “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.
“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” Baba-Ahmed asked.
According to the former presidential aide, the North has suffered greatly during the Boko Haram insurgency, which affected all groups, Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others, highlighting the need for unity.
“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” he questioned.
He therefore warned against further marginalization of the North, noting that continued disregard for the region would have consequences.
“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say “enough is enough ‘. The injustice and sidelining must stop.
Baba-Ahmed urged the northern region to look beyond identity politics, stressing that competence and integrity should guide voter decisions.
“We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has charged Christians to embrace the virtues that Christ preached as the 2025 Easter celebrations hold this weekend.
While congratulating Christians in Nigeria in a goodwill message released from its Lagos Head Office on Thursday, Globacom admonished them to imbibe the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
According to Glo, “Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”
Globacom charged all Nigerians to espouse the lessons of selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society and called on all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
The company praised their perseverance through the 40-day Lenten period which comes before Easter as it emphasized the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
Easter comes yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of unhindered voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
