Yahaya Bello’s nuggets for success and its timely relevance »

By John Mayaki

Multiple research studies have found a lack of motivation and lingering feeling of disorientation, arising from poorly defined objectives or lack of, to be the biggest challenges most youths, including Nigerian millennials and Gen Z, struggle with today.

The severity and implications of the problem is such that it afflicts the group that accounts for the country’s dominant share of the population and drivers of progress in virtually all sectors, notably the economy where their talent and youthful energy fuel innovation and growth, and politics where their numbers make all the difference.

There are numerous guesses why these problems exist. Some surveys have identified overstimulation, due largely to permanent residence on fast-paced social media platforms where a stream of reports, mostly negative, flows breathlessly and all day long. Whereas information scarcity used to be a problem, the reverse is true today; we are now bombarded with too much, seemingly unable to escape and troublingly incapable of parsing and utilizing effectively.

The few high achievers who seem to have developed an effective formula for the Rubik code, and are able to lead and function capably regardless of the obstacles, are reluctant to share. They have instead embraced a taciturn life characterized by terse statements edited to impotence. It is even worse if such capable leaders emerge in politics – a high stake field where every word and sentence is scrutinized and interpreted by opponents baying for blood and their pliant media operatives.

To share and engage freely in politics requires bravery and a true belief in the course of molding would-be leaders with needed – but sometimes demanding – messages and exhortations that provide access to thoughts formed through experience and study. Most would rather shy away and focus on low-hanging PR fruits. It is too much stress with uncertain benefits; too risky because the teacher insisting on discipline and action may first be hated before he is loved.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is not one short on bravery. His ever-smiling, calm demeanor may belie his grit and doggedness, but the hard lessons he taught –and is still teaching – corrupt overlords in the state, alongside his remarkable transformation of its economy and security, have since revealed to all that he is not one to be trifled with.

Not least a revelation too are his grueling routines at the gym, sometimes broadcasted live on social media to intimate Kogites and Nigerians with his recreational preferences and dedication to retaining soundness of mind and body.

Indisputably a model for youths and an inspiration source having attained the high office of Governor as one of the youngest ever in the history of the country, he desires exceptional feats like his to be a common occurrence, hence the consistent sharing of powerful nuggets required to overcome the challenge of a lack of motivation, defining objectives, and walking the path of destiny.

In a fresh set encompassing eight rules (or admonishment, if you prefer), Governor Yahaya Bello delivered a gospel on the fleeting nature of life and youth, productive engagement (because it is not enough to just be busy), and avoiding the trap of complacency – a place where talent and ambition die a gradual death.

“Not too young to run will become ‘much too old to run’ faster than you think, so if you must get somewhere soon, stop loitering and start running now”, he said in the first nugget.

The second urges to “give your life your best shot always and stop dealing with a slack hand.” In the third, Governor Bello advised against busyness for the mere sake of it because “to be busy doing nothing is the worst enemy of business and most formidable foe of achievement.”

The fourth follows the same theme with the message to “avoid the rocking chair of life of constant motion and zero success.” Number five harps on defining clear objectives because “when actors and actions have no specific objective, they will always fall short of greatness. How can you catch what you are not chasing?”

Building on the retrospective question posed by the fifth nugget is a charge in the sixth to “always aim for an ultimate prize anytime you aim and make every prize you aim for as ultimate as you can make it.”

And in the 7th, the message is to “always want more, always strive for more and stop begging for rights which are already given to you by citizenship or humanity.” In other words, dare to do!

Perhaps the pointed of all is the eight one which emphasizes that nation-building is a joint, collective effort in which everyone must play a part. “This country belongs to all of us,” it says, “so stop waiting for a banquet paid for with your money.”

Few words but in them are ingredients for success as an individual and as a citizen. Governor Yahaya Bello has mounted mount Olympus, ministered to by Apollo himself, where he sends forth knowledge to youths and individuals keen on finding a way and carving a unique niche for themselves in a crowded world and space. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Governor Yahaya Bello has once again offered leadership.

Mayaki is a Journalist, Historian, Diplomat, Archivist, Documentalist, Communication, Culture and Media expert (Coventry University, England). He’s also an Oxford and Cambridge University-trained entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainability expert. A Professional Consultant on Communication, Management and Strategy (Chattered Management Institute, England).