By Olajide Hamzat
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, was how William Shakespeare described and defined leadership in Henry IV, Part 2. By this account, leadership comes with lots of responsibility, in addition to numerous challenges and obstacles. Anyone who aspires to a leadership position must be ready to dare greatly and brave the wilderness of life. He must also be ready to break through the glass ceiling of mediocrity and conformity. He must be willing to go and grow through the hard times for the success of those behind him. He must be passionate about taking tough stands, unconventional decisions and think creatively, innovatively, and disruptively.
In Nigeria, we rarely see leaders who embody some of these inspirational qualities. Fortunately, Governor Seyi Makinde represents one of the brightest forces of transcendental and transformational leaders in the country. I recall the first time he threw his hat in the ring of state politics and how his name and brand spread like wildfire. Anyone could see the potential and prospect in his aspiration and ambition but only a few could bet on his chances. A good leader is one who wins against all odds – without losing the humility and respect for those that suffer defeat. He is the one that fights with no promise of victory – yet fight nonetheless.
Four years after he briskly showed up as a possible gubernatorial contender and contestant, Governor Makinde, once dismissively described as an underdog had quietly transformed himself into a political top-dog, formidable force and indomitable choice of the electorate. He came the second time not only prepared but ready to win by clear margin; thereby stamping his feet on the sand of political and electoral time. He was in other words, the underdog that stunned the top-dog with his strategy and superior game-plan.
In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell explores underdog triumphs by reframing weaknesses as strengths. Through countless and timeless examples ranging from historical battles to personal anecdotes, Gladwell argues that unconventional advantages like nimbleness and adaptability can overcome apparent challenges. The book challenges notions of power and success, emphasizing resilience and innovative thinking. As a fan of Malcolm, I find most of his books like Tipping Point, Blink, Outlier etc as great gifts to humanity. I find David and Goliath particularly thought provoking and intriguing. Drawing from the biblical David and Goliath, we learned the power of faith, courage, and adequate preparation in confronting life’s inescapable challenges.
For Amofin Beulah Adeoye, no story captures his rise from the staff quarters of the University of Ibadan to global rise than the David and Goliath. He’s mastered the art of turning weaknesses to strengths and continues to emerge stronger in the face of obstacles. That he is reinventing the wheel of disruptive leadership in the state political landscape is no accident. He’s been intentional and deliberate about things that matter to him. Many people let their background draw them back in the game of life, not Amofin Beulah Adeoye. Where others see challenges as stumbling blocks to success, he sees opportunities to pull down the tree of failures and setbacks. He’s the right fit for all times.
Olajide Hamzat writes about the various prospects and potential of Oyo state while projecting Amofin Beulah Adeoye as a solution provider, problem solver and creative, adaptive and innovative leader and thinker with compassion and empathy.
