- By: Akhilome Osemudiame David
So amazing is the fact that we live in a world where what is said matters trivially in contrast to what is done, hence actions speak louder than words. And whether you tell the truth or lie, is of no significance, for you will still die, a death in the hands of those who wish their acts remain in privy.
Behind the scenes, many things happen that thereafter influences to a large extent the scene itself. What you see is only a reminiscent of what has already transpired behind closed doors and high fences through which one can only strain the eye muscles in gross futility to uncover the underlying truth.
As regards the article released by the Press Council, The Polytechnic, Ibadan on August 5, 2019 with the title “Part 1: When Shall We Start Questioning Our Students’ Leaders?” I think it is a wake-up call for students to checkmate their leaders and see if they are being served or starved. To see if the leaders are leading in line with the oath of office they took, and the manifesto promises they made.
But I have got a problem with this revolt, and that is because criticism is one of the easiest jobs on the planet, hence every dick or harry can come up to give opinions even on issues they have got little or no knowledge about.
My stance on the matter has nothing to do with being a student’ leader, for I write as an ordinary student who also is a financial member of several associations. More so, I refuse to be in defense of the failed leadership we have been dealt with not just in our schools but in the nation at large.
However, before you carry on with the crucifixion, I need you to candidly answer my question— are you aware of the foxes that spoil the grain? These are the set of individuals that lie in wait at the corridors of harvest to reap where they have not sown; godfathers and cabals as they are called in politics.
There you are, fascinated by the majestic plans you intend to execute for the benefit of every dick or harry. There they are standing privily on their watch to extort and surcharge, until the very plans you hold in high regard are stripped off your feeble hands.
For this reason, even an Abraham Lincoln or Barack Obama to say the least with all his proficient leadership abilities and vision, will fail woefully, and might resort to having “a well organised orientation programme, colourful ‘department / faculty’ day” as his major achievements in office, not forgetting “an exercise book” called souvenir.
We must come to realize that the system has long gone bad, and it only gets worse as the days go by. This is not to say that some students’ leaders are not culpable of embezzlement or misappropriation of funds. However, while that is the case with some, others are only unfortunate to have come into office in times like this, when the foxes have outgrown control measures, hence spoiling the grain at will.
Even as corruption is the order of the day, in our present-day Nigeria. I still believe that there are some persons in the office of leadership whom are true to their words and would do nothing but to uphold the honour of being a leader to serve the best interest of the people who voted them into office.
In the light of the hardship most of the students’ leaders face in the hands of the “godfathers, cabals and taxmen”, the extortions, surcharging, and in some cases bullying of “stubborn” leaders who fail to yield to their demands, I think students should be a bit more understanding of them. More so, beyond every possible tolerance you can afford, you should still air your views, but he who wears the shoe knows where it itches.
I may have not asked any questions, actually, that was not my goal. What I had in mind was to open us all to some of the challenges that students’ leaders encounter. I will also like to reiterate that obscurity is shattered in darkness as the light of truth springs in golden rays of rectitude and integrity, from the hearts of them that are pure.
In conclusion, performance evaluation is carried out by carefully considering several factors of influence. So, before you begin the crucifixion, I employ you to put into consideration the foxes that spoil the grain, and put the efforts of students’ leaders in disdain.
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God bless my powerful General Secretary of our great faculty NAPES…. Ur pen will never dry
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