• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Friday, August 29, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Asiwaju And Strategic Humility

by Tunji Bello
2 years ago
in Opinion
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

The title of this short piece is not exactly original. The word “Strategic Humility” was first coined brilliantly and diplomatically deployed by Dr Henry Kissinger, former American Secretary of State, who marked his centenary (100 years) birthday few days ago, in his recent book “LEADERSHIP”.

Advertisement

 

In that book, Kissinger did an analysis of six heads of state in the 20th century who he considered as great leaders. They are France’s Charles De Gaulle, Germany’s Conrad Adreneur, America’s Richard Nixon, Singapore’s Lee Kwan Yew, Britain’s Margaret Thatcher and Egypt’s Anwar Sadat.

 

I may not necessarily agree with three of Kissinger’s categorization, especially Nixon, Thatcher and Sadat. But that is a topic for another day. What I however find most interesting in the book is his take on Conrad Adreneur, the German post-war Chancellor. He cited Adreneur as a man who eased Germany into the mainstream of world power. It was a remarkable feat by a great man. That Germany found its way back into the mainstream of world politics (a privilege she still enjoys till today) is the brainchild of Adreneur with his deployment of “strategic humility”.

RELATED

Kano Correctional Facilities Overcrowded With Awaiting Trial Inmates

Mental Illness In Correctional Centres

2 hours ago
PDP And The Road To 2027

PDP And The Road To 2027

1 day ago
ADVERTISEMENT

 

I find these words relevant today as Asiwaju is set to take over the mantle of the nation’s leadership in a few days time. There is no dispute among those who have worked with him over the years (in government and at political level) about his adroit deployment of political strategy in resolving the unsolvable. His instinctive respect for every individual he meets speaks of humility in leadership.

Nigeria is currently in a mess both economically and politically. We are more divided today than 10 years ago. I believe his coming is at the right time because we need a leader who can stabilize and rejuvenate us.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

I recently saw a bit of what is to come. First in Port Harcourt when he was invited by Governor Nyesom Wike to do the commissioning of his 12th Bridge and new Courts. Gov Wike had asked that Asiwaju’s Government should refund money the Rivers had spent on the new bridge and some federal roads in the state. Asiwaju’s remark was most Solomonic and statesmanly. He said “I owed you nothing”. His reason: we still have in place a government headed by President Buhari which must be respected.

 

Also, we have seen a plethora of project commissionings by President Buhari which many expected he would attend beside the incumbent leader. But he chose to avoid them in what clearly is borne out of strategic humility in not wanting to share the glory with the incumbent as the latter deserves his shine and glory.

 

Earlier in January when the iconic Lagos rail-line (which Asiwaju initiated as governor) was commissioned, he stayed away and allowed President Buhari to lap up the glory. The fickle-minded would have been tempted to contest the platform with Buhari on the justification that “It is my baby”. Not Asiwaju.

 

Perhaps the most remarkable one was the commissioning few days ago of Dangote’s Refinery at Lekki Free Trade Zone, a visionary scheme he initiated as Governor of Lagos State in 2005 in a stroke of Socratic ingenuity. Instead of being present with President Buhari at the commissioning, he sent his vice Shettima so that the present Goverment could carry the glory.

 

It was remarkable that Aliko Dangote himself referred to Tinubu as the “Asiwaju of Nigeria” on that important date to Nigeria’s economic history. In Yoruba, Asiwaju means the Leader.

 

Tinubu’s deft footworks actually reminded us of Nicollo Machaiavelli’s legendary postulation: “Power is alluring and infectious when you are at the top. But calmness is for the Prince of expectation and manifestiion begins when you are on the throne.”

 

The incoming President and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces must be ready to deploy more of that strategic humility when in office. There are more challenging times ahead. Two are quite critical: restoring confidence in our Federal Government and the ECONOMY. The Americans call it “Economy, Stupid.”

The first borders on instability in various parts of the country and growing religious intolerance. To fix the second, you have to solve the first. But given Asiwaju’s pedigree, we are assured.


Join Our WhatsApp Channel

Nigerians can now earn US Dollars monthly by acquiring domains cheaply and reselling for profits up to $18,000 (nearly ₦30Million). Beneficiaries include professionals, entrepreneurs, civil servants and more. Click here to start.


SendShare10199Tweet6374Share
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Euro 2024 Qualifiers: Eberechi Eze Gets England Call-Up

Next Post

Foreign Students Enrich UK Economy, MP Speaks On Planned Ban

Tunji Bello

Tunji Bello

You May Like

Kano Correctional Facilities Overcrowded With Awaiting Trial Inmates
Editorial

Mental Illness In Correctional Centres

2025/08/29
PDP And The Road To 2027
Backpage

PDP And The Road To 2027

2025/08/28
FG Plants Seeds Of Peace, Prosperity At Kawu Grazing Reserve
Editorial

Ranching As A Solution To Farmers/Herders Clashes

2025/08/28
Edo Gives Ex-Officials 2 Days To Return Gov’t Vehicles, Says 200 Missing
Opinion

The Disheartening Ethnic Slurs Against Governor Okpebholo

2025/08/27
TISSF And Matters Arising
Editorial

TISSF And Matters Arising

2025/08/27
ADC Inaugurates New Leadership In Imo
Opinion

Bolaji Abdullahi And The ADC: Not Everything Is Politics

2025/08/26
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

Nigeria’s Top Oil Boss Walking into A Trap

Herders Ask Security Agencies, Others To Disregard Alleged Killings In Bokkos

Commissioner Tasks Kwara Teachers On Innovation

320 Kwara Schools Get Hygiene Wash Stations

Church Donates Food, Hygiene Items To Vulnerable Families In 5 States

Nigeria, Team Europe Chart New Course For Data Exchange

Again, 4 Killed In Benue Attack

AIG Hails Dangote Cement CSR Initiatives

Experts Task Schools To Integrate AI Into Curriculum

FG Urged To Provide Mentorship, Harness Youths’ Digital Skills For Security

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.