news of the killing of the Libyan strongman, Moamar Gaddafi came to me as a rude'shock. Not that I expected him to survive the insurgency that erupted in the land he ruled with iron fists for 42 years, but I never thought the members of the National Transition Council(NTC) that captured him would be that ruthless. Juxtaposing his pictures on page two of the Sunday Tribune 23rd October, 2011 when he posed as the Libyan leader, and another where he laid lifeless and shirtless like a common criminal, confirms King Solomon's conclusion that the entire existence of man is vanity.The lessons here are numerous, but the vital ones will be highlighted. The first is that whatever your background and achievements in life, there is equality in death-man's ultimate end is 6 feet below the earth surface. Forget government's sponsorship of burial arrangements, elaborate burial ceremonies glass and golden caskets, all these add no value to a corpse. A corpse is a corpse, be it that of a president or a beggar.Secondly, it is important for man to know and acknowledge the fact that it is an opportunity God gave you if you found yourself in an exalted position in life, not that you are better than those who pay homage to you. Therefore, you should never look down on your subordinates nor take them for granted.Another is to know always that the opportunity you have to find yourself in an exalted position is to impact positively on the lives of your subjects, not to enrich yourself nor use the machinery of office to oppress and intimidate others.Also, know that you are sustained in your exalted position for as long as you are there because the masses still want you there. If they tell you you are no longer wanted, the honourable thing is to step down before you are brought down by the masses. Hosni Mubarak, Moamar Gaddafi and the former leader of Tunisia learnt this lesson in a hard way.Then, never get carried away by power, riches nor office, they are ephemeral, transient and vain.I have seen leaders, both alive and dead who were guided by the above listed life lessons and died honourably, or living their twilight time like statesmen I have also seen those that did not, but are fortunate to be alive to learn these facts. I have also seen those that did not live to learn because they were consumed by the attendant crisis that usually arose from failure to learn these facts. Such men include the late Samuel Doe and Moamar Gaddafi. Past leaders who lived by the noble lessons include Nelson Mandela, John Kuffor of Ghana and the late Alhaji Umoru Musa Yar'Adua. One who did not but is fortunate to survive is our former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.I laugh when I see Chief Executive Officers of multinational companies, banks, top government functionaries and those God had blessed their businesses with a few millions, carry themselves as if they are God himself. They address their subordinates as if they are non-entities. They get carried away by the paraphernalia of office. Ask Erastus Akingbola who bestrode the Intercontinental Bank like a colossus. He, at a point, saw himself as the saviour, benefactor and god of his entire staff. He fell from grace to grass and the fall was indeed great.Providence provided me the opportunity to meet two prominent Nigerians and my experience after my encounter with them is worth talking about, so as to teach the 'alagbara ayes' a lesson or two about life.The first person is the present Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the second person is a business mogul, Chief Adebayo Adetunji popularly known as Adetunji Onisiga (Adetunji, the cigarrette trader). Governor Ajimobi, despite his education, exposure, wealth and the executive power he welds now as governor, sees himself as a mere human, who God has only given the opportunity to impact positively on the lives of the people of Oyo State. The air of executive power is deliberately diminished by him. He sat with us ordinary citizens, who he was meeting for the first time, and exchanged banters with us. He even revealed his weaknesses to us just to show that he is human like us. While swearing in his commissioners not too long ago, he told them they had little time, but a lifetime opportunity to serve mankind. He pointed to the portraits of former governors that graced the Executive Chamber of the Governor's Office and said sooner than later, his will join them and someone else will be the governor of Oyo State. As at the time he saw us off, it did not seem to us we had had a meeting with an Executive Governor. It was as if we just had discussions with a friend and a colleague.Chief Adetunji rose from nothing to become one of the greatest men in Nigeria. He never ventured into politics, so his success is a result of hard work and not from dipping his hands into public treasury. Baba Adetunji did not allow his wealth and success to get into his head. Everybody is his friend, brother, sister, son and daughter. He did not lose touch with his childhood friends, but moves close to them and relates with them as mates, despite the fact that many of them are 'ordinary' people. His staff sit with him on the dining table to eat and drink tea and they discuss official matters as if his staff are shareholders in his companies. He never looks at them with disdain but treat them with mutual respect. He does not flaunt his wealth and he lives among commoners.Anybody he wanted to give money, he called aside and put substantial sum into his pocket so that nobody will knew that money was exchanging hands. Anyone is always welcome in his house and he never keeps you waiting endlessly before you see him for whatever purpose. He is ever-ready to share life's experiences with you and would give you pieces of useful advice. The father figure is permanently in him. He is gracefully ageing and God has blessed him with good health. To him, it is God in his infinite mercy who decided to bless him, not that he has done anytime anybody else has not done to be successful in life.Adebayo can be reached via Kikis 2k8@yahoo.com 080-34753941.
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