Lessons from JFK on Courage, Judgement, Integrity and Dedication

Lessons from President John F. Kennedy’s January 9, 1961 stirring speech (part of which reads):

“…And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each one of us--recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state--our success or failure, in whatever office we may hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions:

First, were we truly men of courage--with the courage to stand up to one's enemies--and the courage to stand up, when necessary, to one's associates--the courage to resist public pressure, as well as private greed?

Secondly, were we truly men of judgment--with perceptive judgment of the future as well as the past--of our own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others--with enough wisdom to know that we did not know, and enough candor to admit it?

Third, were we truly men of integrity--men who never ran out on either the principles in which they believed or the people who believed in them--men who believed in us--men whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust?

Finally, were we truly men of dedication--with an honor mortgaged to no single individual or group, and compromised by no private obligation or aim, but devoted solely to serving the public good and the national interest?”

If only our leaders will imbibe these lessons; and do not what is just selfish or popular, but what is right...in their judgement; courageously and with their integrity intact. Our world will be different

Book Reviews

Just Before Dawn by Kole Omotoso

Bought this book at Lagos Domestic Airport on my way to Abuja in January due to boredom and am glad I did. Quite an easy read for a books that is high in politics, intrigue and power plays. Couldn't put it down until I devoured every page of it. Any student of Nigerian politics must read this book. It traces the immediate pre-colonial Nigerian history in context of the politics between the various factions, personalities and groups involved

It is a well researched book; partly fiction (using illustrative stories to make an instructive point e.g. loss of property after Biafra and attendant brutality that accompanied that war) and facts hither unknown -like the story of Madam Adunni Oluwole, an iconoclast feminist and nationalist who made a prescient statement in the march towards independence from the British (to the consternation of her countrymen) that " Nigerian political leaders had abused the responsibility they had already secured.  ". It shine light on well known history facts like the cross carpeting in the West that put Awo in power in 1953  (now I know AG actually had plural majority but needed  absolute majority to form a government without Zik) or the favoritism of the British colonial office towards the North.It elaborated on the facts like th coups and counter-coups as well.

In the end, one is amiss to ask...was it worth it? What has changed? What could have our early leaders done differently? On the last questions, I posit that was "a lot". For those who don't get drama and nuance, read with care. The details of conversations and going on when not in quote, are generally fiction. Otherwise, a solid , well researched work of history...put in interesting context!

Presido!

It was about time I guess..before reality hit the conservative hawks that blocked a very routine constitutional goal of seamless transfer of power. It was a shame... I am not convinced the Jonathan Goodluck will bring an appreciable difference in governance unless he focuses on three key things: Security/Justice in the Niger Delta, Energy (Power & Petroleum Scarcity), and Fair/Just 2011 Elections. In these three areas his leadership may make a difference. Our fingers are crossed. Good move on dislocating that Attorney General anyway..hope Aondokaa can rest well now.

I wish Mr. Goodluck, plentiful of luck and a lot of wisdom. President Yar'Adua was and still remains a greek gift, and Jonathan is not a far off beneficiary of the dirty process that trumped up the duo in 2007. Let us hope 2011 will be better..may be if we can get rid of OBJ and IBB. About time they just go.

Here..gotta be the best quote on the legal mess Jonathan's ascension really is...from IYC leader..

“The National Assembly resolution is in good faith. It is a victory for democracy. Some people are already arguing on the legality of the resolution, but I am one of those who believe Nigeria itself is illegal. Nigerians did not say we want to be Nigerians, we were forced into being one country. The formation of the country is illegal. The Constitution we operate is also illegal. The Constitution says ‘We The People’ but there was no time I, as a Nigerian, was consulted. A cabal just met and gave us a constitution just like the National Assembly met and gave us a resolution. If the constitution that binds us is acceptable to Nigerians, I expect the resolution to also be accepted not only be Nigerians but also the International community.”