FREEPRESS – The hallmark of leadership is taking responsibilities for the actions and inactions of the led. It takes courage for a true leader to apologies to subordinates and takes responsibility for whatever lapses noticeable in any given system. That is why we must commend the Honourable Minister of Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, for displaying rare courage in apologizing to the players and officials of Nigeria’s Olympic Football Team for the inconveniences they encountered, leading to their delayed arrival in Brazil for the Rio games.
A Chinese proverb says, “A man who blames others has not started his journey, a man who blames himself is half way there and a man who blames nobody has arrived”. The Honourable Minister has put behind him all the misconception and campaign of calumny mounted against him and has decided to do the needful by apologizing to the players and officials of Dream Team VI as a patriotic Nigerian who would always put the interest of Nigeria first in his service to his fatherland. This is courage personified and the hallmark of a true leader.
“I want to apologies for all the circumstances that led to your late arrival here. I am the head and as such I must take responsibility for anything that happens under my watch” “I’m happy you all have put the unfortunate incident behind you and have shown that you are true heroes by making the country proud with your qualification for the quarter finals. This qualification is unique as you guys are the first to do so in the football events. These statements credited to the Honourable Minister distinguished him as a good manager of men and a leader with uncommon courage.
It is hope that the convivial atmosphere which the Honourable Minister’s good gesture has promoted would ginger the Nigerian contingents to the Rio Olympics for superlative performance to the glory of the nation. We hereby implore the sporting press and other well meaning Nigerians to continue to support the Honourable Minister for the general advancement of sports as the only true unifier of all Nigerians.
By Godwin Edukpe
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