Hello,

How are you and how are your plans for the year getting along?

It’s been an extremely busy time for me. I have had to travel to three Nigerian states and Côte d’Ivoire in the last few days. These trips have made me think a lot about how important it is to have people who are both physically and mentally fit for positions of leadership and governance. Coincidentally, the book I am reading this month also highlights this point.

I am starting off my reading for the year with a biography of America’s first president, George Washington. The book is titled, “You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington,” by Alexis Coe. The title is a wordplay that may make some people think about their first sexual encounter, but the truth is that we will always remember the first time we tried something new, whether they are serious or mundane.

This book is making me reflect on Nigeria’s first leaders. Both the prime minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and president, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, were not geriatrics when they got the opportunity to serve. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was 48 when he became Prime Minister, whereas Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was 58 when he became President (having served as Governor-General of Nigeria from the age of 56). Similarly, America’s first president assumed office at 57. We can describe them all as “people in their prime.”

Having served as governor for over 2 years now and seeing how crazy the schedule can be, I appreciate even more why it is important to have an energetic and mentally alert leader. The vagaries of the office are such that there is a whole lot that cannot simply be delegated. Age matters. And no, this is not a pot shot at anyone.

Yet, in addition to being focused on how old or young a person is, it is important to also focus on their mind. As Alvin Toffler once wrote, we have “already-old people of thirty-five and forty-five.”

For example, it was George Washington’s impressive performance during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that convinced Americans that he deserved to become their president. And when he contested, they voted overwhelmingly for him.    
Of course, Washington had served America in various capacities before becoming president, so he had lots of opportunities to show that he was capable of leadership. He did not lack the proper antecedents.

So, as we approach 2023, it’s important that at every level of governance, whether at the Local Government, State or Federal level, we find and vote for persons who have the mental acuity and the physical energy to withstand the rigours of governance. We must not vote for people who refuse to show their mental prowess and physical capabilities.

I look forward to reading this book and learning more about this great man who became America’s first president and I hope you read and learn along with me.

If you live in Oyo State, the COVID-19 vaccines are still available. Please go and get vaccinated.

Stay safe and I will talk to you again soon.