FOLLOWING an advert by the Ministry of Education on the 2017 – 2018 Scholarship Award Schemes based on the bilateral agreement Nigeria has with other countries, my daughter applied for consideration.

Permit me to begin the second part of this essay with a word from Dr. Shuaib Musa Zaria, who is a leading member of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and who is a close confidante and associate of Sheik El Zak Zaky, the wounded and detained leader of the Shiite Muslim community in Nigeria.

LEADERSHIP is one of those concepts that is so ubiquitous, yet incapable of a precise definition. In attempting to describe it, an entry on Reference.com says, “Leadership can be described as the process or art of influencing people’s behaviours, thoughts and attitude. Effective leadership makes people feel like they have a say in how things are done. Leadership entails inspiring people to effectively, efficiently and willingly complete any tasks assigned to them, often inadvertently leading to higher levels of productivity and job satisfaction.”

Precisely 20:36hrs on 15th February, 2017, I noticed two missed calls on my cell phone, two minutes behind. It was from Prof. Joe Asike, the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, the Executive Governor of Anambra state.

Truth be told, being the next governor of Ekiti State after a rough rider like Fayose is herculean and largely unrewarding. Such a person will be spending quality time clearing filthy stalls.