Don tasks leaders on crisis management

AS Nigerians await the implementation of proposed policies and programmes in fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign promises, an advice has been offered to the present crop of leaders to address issues headlong as they emerge instead of waiting until they degenerate into crisis before they manage them.

Professor Afolakemi Olasumbo Oredein of the Department of Educational Management, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, stated this on Wednesday while delivering the 6th inaugural lecture of the institution.

Speaking on the topic “Good Leadership for National Development: The Inevitable Fraternal Twins and Irresistible Skills as Matters Arising,” Oredein, stated that “Our leaders should not wait until issues degenerate into conflict or conflict escalates before it is managed. They should identify opportunities for growth, improvement, change and development, and make the best out of the situation.”

Present at the lecture were academics from the University of Ibadan where she was a student, the IAR&T, Olabisi Onabanjo University where she previously lectured, the Anglican Communion clergy, family members, and others.

Speaking on the present socio-economic condition in the country, Oredein declared that the present administration in the country should address issues instead of playing the blame game saying “You should stop beating around the bush” as the people may start to react or revolt.

“Our leaders should not wait until issues degenerate into a conflict or conflict escalates before it is managed, they should identify opportunities for growth, improvement, change and development, and make the best out of the situation.”

The don, who called for training and re-training of leaders on effective leadership communication and decision making suggested that “Proper and deliberate provisions should be made for conflict management.

On the importance of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the don declared that the use of ICT would help to address issues promptly if the leaders can embrace it.