General Ibrahim Babangida, the former military president of Nigeria, expressed during an interview at his residence in Minna that his greatest accomplishment as the country’s leader was gaining a deeper understanding of Nigeria and building relationships across various sectors.
He emphasized the importance for young Nigerians aspiring to lead the country to familiarize themselves with the people and the nation. General Babangida acknowledged that his service to the country may not have satisfied everyone, but he believed he did his best and left it to history to judge.
He highlighted his ability to connect with the people and his extensive travels, which allowed him to make friends throughout the country.
He encouraged young people to study and comprehend Nigeria, as this knowledge would greatly prepare them for future leadership roles.
General Babangida emphasized that leadership requires understanding and compassion, as well as the ability to find solutions to people’s problems and fears. He acknowledged that different situations may call for different approaches, including persuasion, coercion, and other methods to achieve desired outcomes.
As young individuals, you now have a unique opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the nation, delve into its studies, and understand its people. By doing so, you will be equipping yourselves with the necessary knowledge and insights that will greatly contribute to your future leadership roles within the country.
Similar to any leadership style, when you find yourself in a position of authority, your responsibility is to guide and lead others.
You will find that people will look up to you for solutions to their problems and fears. It is crucial to develop the ability to stand out as the person who can provide those solutions.
To achieve this, it is essential to study and comprehend human behavior, read extensively about it, and cultivate a sense of compassion. At times, you may need to exhibit determination and assertiveness to accomplish tasks, but there are various approaches you must develop to attain certain goals.
Some situations may require persuasion, while others may necessitate coercion or other methods. Reflecting on his own experience during the civil war, Babangida expressed his sadness and emphasized that he would not want a repetition of such a conflict, particularly fighting against those he had trained with for the unity of the country.
