If you hold an office, you’ll never know your true worth until you leave that office. I learnt that lesson many years after I graduated from the university.
I was back in town for my MBA exams that weekend (almost 6 years after my first degree). I dropped by Takie in Ogbomoso and took a taxi to Sabo. I sat in front but noticed the taxi driver kept glancing at me. I became a bit uncomfortable.
Then he cleared his throat and said I looked like a former Student Union President. He asked if I was the same person. I answered in the affirmative. The man was excited. By then, I needed to alight from the vehicle. I brought out money to pay but the taxi driver refused. I thanked him profusely.
He dropped me in front of what used to be a very popular hotel owned by a man who is my namesake. My plan was to lodge there for the duration of the exams that weekend. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to make reservations earlier as I didn’t take into cognisance the fact that thousands of other students would be in town for the same exam. The receptionist told me the hotel was fully booked. I scratched my head and made to leave.
I needed a place to sleep that night. As I stepped out to the parking lot, I saw the hotelier seated with a few people. I decided to say hello to him before leaving. I approached him and prostrated as is our custom. The man looked at me and said, “Is this not my namesake?”
I responded and he asked what I came there to do. I explained and informed him I was told the hotel was fully booked. He summoned the hotel manager who confirmed that there were no available rooms.
He asked him to make one available for me immediately even if it meant refunding the payment made by another customer. He also instructed that my room should be free of charge. I was truly humbled and thanked him profusely.
True leaders serve with the awareness that their time is temporary. Only those who lead with humility outlive their position. Share on XI was given a room and I checked in though I ended up not sleeping there that night because a friend of mine who learnt I was in town came to check me out of the hotel. He insisted that I had to sleep at his place.
This particular event made me reflect on how I had conducted myself while serving in that office on behalf of thousands of students. If all political officeholders—elected and appointed—understand that the office will outlive the officeholder, maybe they will behave better.
People are showing you respect today because of your office and not because of who you are. It is when that office leaves you or you leave that office (whichever comes first) that you will know your true worth and what people think about you.
Don’t mistake strategic loyalty for sincere friendship. Power draws people for their own reasons. Share on XThat is why you should never be carried away by accolades. Be careful when people praise you too much. Be careful of your aides. You’re their pot of soup and they’ll do anything to keep you. Don’t confuse their loyalty to their own personal interests with loyalty to you.
A man in public office does not make new friends. Power allures. Power attracts. But power is fluid. The pictures of previous officeholders adorning the walls of your office should tell you a story. Someone was there yesterday. You’re there today. Another person will be there tomorrow. Nothing really lasts forever.
It’s not the office that makes the man. It’s the man that gives dignity to the office. Share on XIf you’re appointed as a personal aide or assistant, learn from those who just left. Defend your principal responsibly. Do your work with discretion. When you’re sent on a slavish errand, discharge your responsibility like a freeborn. Don’t inherit the enemies of your principal.
When they reconcile, you’ll most likely not be there. We, the people, will continue to criticize your principal. Don’t turn your boss into a demi-god, and don’t turn critics to demons. Remember there is life after office.
This article was previously published in Punch Newspaper.