For someone who has seen a lot in these past few years, I will say that I can comment on some matters with the same boldness and alacrity with which a snake crawls into a rat hole, eat the rat and end up occupying the hole. The snake, if judged with the same laws guiding humans would be deemed wrong and may be prosecuted, but in the law of the jungle, only the fittest survive. Life; a race when compared to how the same race is being run in the jungle will make us see the hypocrisy with which we are running ours. In the jungle, the strong eats up the weak and slow leaving the fast and strong. This has made it possible for unwanted traits to be eliminated over the years. The reverse is the case here as the weak look up to the strong for protection and perseverance of life. That I think is the only notable difference between humans and animals. The weak continue to live amongst us leaving the strong to wax stronger. The strong in the end dictate the manner and pace at which the weak move. If peradventure the strong says “no more development”, it stays so.

Leadership like patience is a virtue as it is highly sacrificial. It is said that for one to be a leader, one has to first become a follower. Over the years, this theory is proven to be true. Leaders whose leadership held sway first learned the thread of leadership from followership. A leader that comes by chance (happenstance) is a catastrophe. This is because what one doesn’t bleed for, he doesn’t value.

A story is told of a particular association leader who was in class when a fellow student and course mate who is prone to asthmatic attacks suddenly had crisis. When others rallied around to see if they could get her inhaler which at the end wasn’t readily available in her bag, he sat mute. He watched the whole thing from the safety of his seat and did not make any attempt to see how he could help the said student in crisis. When it was later agreed within that short period to move the student to the school clinic, this leader who is supposed to spearhead the whole movement sat down. A fellow student pointed this out to him and in full scorn, he answered thus:

“No power can move me from this seat I currently occupy.”

No remorse whatsoever and such an unguided utterance from a supposed leader. One who got the mantle of leadership from people who unanimously agreed to install him there before a proper election can take place. I dare say and with full conviction that it was a mistake for someone who places no value on human life to occupy such a sensitive position. It is like allowing a sheep to lead a pack of wolves. Even the wolves will think themselves as sheep. In essence, if the leader of an association cannot as much as move a muscle but can make such an utterance, how would one trust him to take decisions bothering on sensitive issues?

I hope the said leader realizes his fallacy and take notable steps to redress this issue. Leadership doesn’t end within the four walls of an institution. We have eyes and we are blessed with memories that can remember incidences as minute as this years later.

The National Association of University Students election is forth coming and our choice still remains Comr. Gbedozin Akonasu aka Mwalimu. We have tasted and have seen different leaders but his have we come to source for in dire situations. He is a leader who is ready to stand in the line to make sure that anomalies are corrected. From rendering his voice to see that the Nasarawa State Government reinstall speed bumps on the road that was removed during the upgrade of the Lafia-Obi Road to the recent campaign against the deadly scourge HIV/AIDS. This is but to name a few. His philanthropic gestures still remains top-notch and his focus is undeterred no matter the storm that had crossed his way. One of his favourite quotes is:

“If we don’t get it right, now, when do we intend to get it right?”

This is a quote that leaves much to be desired seeing the current state and status that the NAUS is in. The Association seemed to be on a merry-go-round spin without any noticeable change, direction or improvement in where it is headed. One of Myles Munroe’s quotes is this:

“The problem with humanity is they have gotten used to their status quo. Like a rocking horse in front of a departmental store gives pleasure to its rider without actually moving forward, so also is humanity satisfied with the current pleasure it is having.”

Well, enough is enough. We are coming down that high horse today and running with our foot if that will take us to our destination. Remember these words:

“If you can’t fly, run, if you can’t walk, crawl. Do not allow yourself to be stagnant in this race of life.”

Have this in mind, Comr. Akonasu’s motto still remains:

“Repositioning, Rebuilding and Revitalizing NAUS for a Greater Efficiency.”

Together we can see this dream come to reality.

#Akonasu4NAUSPresident

By

Adeyi Joseph Ochogu
PPRO 1
The Akonasu Campaign Organization