Words are triggers for human action(s). This is so, especially, when the words spoken or written come from one's conviction. Words triggers and get even more contageous when the come from a leader. Their words can be so compelling in inspiring and/or motivating positive or negative actions, depending on what is being said. This exposition is motivated and anchored on one of such words coming from one of our legislators.
"The most useless day in my life will be the day I spend 24 hours without putting a smile on at least someone's face." I stumble on these beautiful and touchy lines from Hon. Dewan Gabriel Kudangbena, a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly (PSHA) representing Pankshin North. Those words can only come from a welfarist who has value for humanity!
I, personally, made Hon. Dewan on two occasions. The first encounter was when I met him at an interdenomational program organised by the youth in Mwel, Ampang East with the topic: "THE GAINS AND PAINS OF YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS: LESSON FROM AMPANG EAST" and held at COCIN LCC Mwel on December 18, 2022 with me as the guest speaker. The second time we met was at the second edition of J. D. Gomwalk Memorial Lecture with the theme: "JD GOMWALK LEGACIES AND PROSPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN PLATEAU STATE", organised by the National Association of Ngas Students (NANGS) and held at FCE Pankshin on February 14, 2023, where I was invited to be one of the discussants of the lead paper scheduled to be presented by Nde Yakubu Gomos. On both occasions, Dewan was introduced as a candidate for the state assembly office under the Young Progressives Party (YPP), a seemingly new and unpopular party platform but spoke passionately about the issues of selfless service to humanity.
Because of those two encounters, I became interested in the aspiration of the politician and on the eve of his election, I wrote him a note that read in full: "In stoic philosophy, courage is perceived as the virtue that can champion the cause of right. You have shown great courage in the pursuit of your ambition to represent Pankshin North State Constituency. You are commended for being a dogged fighter and a determined goal getter! I do not know the dynamics and issues involved in the politics of your constituency but one thing that is evident is that you have creditably done all that is required to market your manifesto to the electorates. However, you will miss my vote because my PVC was registered somewhere else but my prayers are earnestly with you. May grace and favour speak for you. Best wishes, House member in the making!"
The rest, they say, is history. Hon. Dewan won the poll and, interestingly, he was the only person elected under the platform of YPP in northern Nigeria. What a unique history and statement in his popularity with his constituents. Against all odds, the politician won against well established and rooted political platforms like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
In a reaction to his electoral victory, I wrote to him once again saying, "Glad you made it! Resounding congratulations, House Member Elect!". He duly acknowledged the receipt of my notes with thankgivings and since his inauguration, I have been following his activities from a distance. The point though is to encourage where he needs encouragement and to criticise in love when situations demand. In other words, a leader is worth commending when he delivered on his promises but that does not mean such leader cannot be criticised when he defaulted.
Let me categorically state here, that it is too early to call: This piece is not meant to rate and praise the performance of Hon. Dewan because he is just starting, barely four months in office. Even though, Dan Ciampa and Michael Watkins in their classic leadership book, "Right from Start: Taking Charge in a New Leadership Role", which was published in 1999 argued that "what you do in the first few months on the job can spell the difference between success and failure", there is need for moderation on the assertion. As a Development economist, I know that the shortest development plan anyone can undertake takes, at least, a year; a medium term blueprint takes between four and 7 years while a long term development plan takes between 8 to 15 years. Therefore, it will be too early to say if the legislator has failed or not. What I know at a glance, however, is that he is doing well at the moment.
One of the most critical tests of performance or success is sustainability. First impression matter, really, but the end of every matter, they say, is better than the beginning. Starting well and finishing well is the optimal goal for those who genuinely aspire to make a difference. Therefore, I would rather reserve my comments on the scorecard of the House member until he is, at least, two years in office or, better still, at the twilight of his four years tenure. All I can say at the moment is to encourage him to work harder and sustain the tempo of the good works he has started towards the good of the state and, particularly, his constituents!
In his inaugural address, on January 20, 1989, former President Bush of the United states of America said to the Congress, “This is the age of the offered hand.” That same year, he, also, said to young people on the South Lawn of the White House: "I’m telling you today, you can find what you’re looking for in helping others. If you walk this path with me, I can promise you a life full of meaning and adventure.” The take home for us and for Dewan in these words on marbel is that each of us has a dream, the only sure way to find it is to be lost in the service of others. The present age belongs to those who serve others at the wow level, that is, the act of service to be rated above excellent performance!
May we together be committed to this gospel of service as by Bush Still: "We must not and will not rest until every man and woman with a dream has the means to achieve it". If any of us are doing well, encourage him or her; even those that are doing badly can be encouraged in love to do better. There is always room for improvement!
The journey has just begun. I have no comment on Dewan's private life but his public service. I can see the parliamentarian building network across board and deepening consultations to mobilising opportunities and attracting the dividends of democracy for his people. He is always in touch with the activities of his constituents and doing his utmost best to support them. That is the way leadership should be. However, because he is dealing with people whose morality cannot be predicted or legislate upon, I prayed to God to bless him with extended intellectual capacity, social and emotional intelligence to serve with even greater distinction. He must not lose sight of his commitment which is to put "a smile on, at least, someone's face"!
Leadership is not a title but an opportunity to serve. It is a sacred responsibility which cannot be delegated; trust that goes with the demand transparency and accountability. Leadership is about integrity but, also, about competence. There has to be a striking balance amongst these virtues in the life of a leader and, it takes personal discipline to cultivate them.
My best wishes for him are that, at the expiration of his four years tenure, he will be confident to address his constituents in the manner Samuel did after serving Isrealites in the book of 1Samuel 12:2b-4 (NIV): "I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.” and the people will reply: 'You have not cheated or oppressed us; you have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.' It is not rocket science but a feat that is very possible. Best wishes!
*(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, October 20, 2023)*
