Building Leaders - Role of Integrity, Courage and Determination

Having taught 2-years at a college in Ilorin, during which I completed MBA in early 90s, the ‘meager’ salary as a teacher, meant I had only ‘survived’ because I was living with my parents.  As a result, I  took the decision to seek greener pastures. I  dreamt of breaking through in the private sector and living a more comfortable life. I decided to relocate to Lagos (300km away) the nation's then capital and a bubbling commercial center, to search for work. This would require me to squat with friends and family, and struggle to feed, but I was prepared to put in the toil, sweat, and blood. I frantically searched for a job and applied to hundreds of vacancies that I saw in newspapers, those sent to me by family and friends, as well as any vacancy that I saw posted on buildings and fences, as I walked the streets of Lagos. Several months later, without yet securing a job, I decided to visit Ilorin, to spend Christmas with my parents and siblings, as a short cool off, and to replenish

It is dinner at school, with students eating noisily in the hall. My name is called out on the public address system, by the duty teacher, to stand on the table. I wonder what I have done to be so humiliated, as no reason is mentioned. The hall falls silent, with all eyes on me as I remain seated. He walks up and pulls my collar. I say to him, ‘you are choking me', but he continues to tug. I am dizzy and feel he is strangling me. I decide to free myself before I faint. I turn and take a swing, which stuns him and he releases the hold. I adjust my shirt and walk out of the hall, knowing there would be consequences. The school authorities suspend me. I deserve it.  “This is not how I raised you!” my father berates me. My parents restrict me to my room during the period of suspension. The loneliness is punishing and I am sad.  I learned that one should not act on impulse, but reflect on consequences, to decide on options.  I had been a model student in my early years until the fourth