Building Leaders - Role of Integrity, Courage and Determination

In 4 BC, Nazareth had a poor political and security reputation with Romans killing thousand of Jews after looting the armory. Subsequent arson and revolt led to crackdown and killing of citizens. ThIs was the background to Nathanael’s question, “Can any good thing come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46) The current level of insecurity (boko haram, banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen/farmer), poverty, unemployment and crackdown (insurrection) across the country, is leading many to ask if any good can come out of Nigeria. But the past week has seen what the country is capable of, with the launch of three monumental projects, each of which is a game changer I.e. Lagos-Ibadan railroad; deep blue maritime security architecture, and NLNG Train 7 groundbreaking. These projects are exciting and with their multiplier effects on the nation, particularly Train 7 which will bring $6bn ($3bn from NLNG own fund and $3bn international financing), create over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs, grow production 40%,

Discussions about Nigeria always arouses deep interest because of the unique sense of expectation that it has always infused; concerns on its stability, cautious optimism on its potential, and earnest prayers that one day all of its controversies, contradictions, and contrarian impulses, will resolve nicely or miraculously, and it will rise like the mythical phoenix and take its rightful place in the comity of nations. Myths can serve as a battle cry to galvanize the citizens of a nation towards achieving goals - for good (self-serving) or evil (self-destructive). For example, for the USA, it is exceptionalism, and for the Germans, it is supremacists. For Nigeria, negative myths abound amongst the citizens such as, “Nigeria is a mistake”; “a mere geographical expression”, and “Nigerians show individual brilliance, especially in diaspora, but unable to produce good leaders”. The most spiteful is ascribed to Sir Lugard that the “traits of the native are his lack of apprehension and abili