2022 FLOODS: THE GOOD EXAMPLE OF PETER OBI ETIM ETIM reckons that Obi is deeply imbued with compassion, love and empathy It’s quite commendable for Peter Obi to suspend his campaign acti
It’s quite commendable for Peter Obi to suspend his campaign activities and go visiting flooded communities across the country. Over 600 Nigerians have died and over a million people displaced in what has become the worst flooding in a decade. In Benue State, Obi waded through the waters, spoke words of consolation to the beleaguered citizens and donated N5 million to them. As you read this, Obi has moved to another flooded community.
Those who know him closely assert that Obi, a staunch Catholic and a wealthy businessman, is imbued with compassion, humility and generosity; and so, since he left office in 2013, he’s been engaged in many public-spirited activities. He has a foundation through which he funds his philanthropic activities. Obi loves to support renovation of educational and health facilities, extending assistance to the poor and the less privileged members of the society.
So, it is not right to claim that Peter Obi is now extending help to flood-ravaged communities because he is running for President. Rather, showing love and empathy is his second nature. I recall that in the university in the 1980s, Obi was a rich student, driving around the campus in a new Peugeot car. But he was obviously unassuming and humble; always helpful to those who sought help from him.
This is how Prof. Stefan Dercon of Oxford University, UK, describes the situation in his recently published book, ‘’Gambling on Development – Why some countries win and others lose’’: ‘’Nigeria is not just a country characterized by both extreme wealth and deepest abject poverty.
Indeed, compassion and humility are two of the 21 qualities of a good leader. As Deanna deBara, American writer, entrepreneur, speaker and coach, writes, ‘’humility leads to better listening, increased collaboration, and a more compassionate leadership style. It creates a more authenticity and a more constant drive to learn. These qualities lead to better outcomes, both for the leaders and the teams. Humble leaders aren’t afraid to make mistakes’’.