Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu, ardent believer and practitioner of ethical and transformational leadership, a promoter and unflinching advocate of participatory democracy, which is different from representative democracy that most Nigerian politicians prefer and most of the masses have adopted and have been practicing for a long time, but is believed to be responsible for the docility and passivity of the masses. Same is blamed for the dismal performance of Nigerians on issues of democratic governance, ethical and transformational leadership.
Recently, Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu, gave an insight into why he was not perturbed by what many people saw as a major derailment agenda mounted against his administration as President, National Alumni Association, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu by some misguided elements, immediately he assumed office. The insight was contained in an address he delivered recently to mark his one year in office. He assumed office with the other members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the IMT Alumni body on 7th April 2023, after a keenly contested election that took place during the National Convention of the Association that held in Enugu, Enugu state.
Reputed and respected for his incisive, in-depth, punchy and penetrating analysis of issues, balanced debate and firm position always, members of the IMT Enugu Alumni body did not find it difficult to decode the content of their President’s message as contained in the address, especially, the portion he made allusion to the effect that “distractions can be positive and help to redefine operations and bring out the best in us”. Many members of the IMT alumni in their reaction to the President’s statement spoke glowingly of his disposition to the referenced case, saying “we appreciate the President’s handling of all the issues. As a matter of fact there is nothing that ever takes him off his focus”.
Those that believe in quick action, confrontation, attack and use of force as their preferred approach saw Dr. Kanu’s style as too casual. According to some of them:
“The incident that hit his leadership, the NEC of the IMT Enugu Alumni executive immediately the administration took the mantle of leadership was severe, devastating and destructively divisive and distractive. It was capable of bringing the entire house down, not only derailing the leadership. As a result we do not understand why the president did not observe this. We prefer a situation the president fought and went straight to the jugular, indeed for a kill. As a matter of fact we cannot understand the soft nature of the president on a matter that miscreants spearheaded”.
Continuing, this time in a tone indicative of anger and frustration, some of them said “Whatever is the reason, there was no room for the President to entertain and stomach the activities of black legs and turncoats, people that deserve nothing but disgraceful treatment. We expected nothing less than the president delivering to them loads of humiliation, and deliberate actions targeted at sending them behind the bar.
“Instead of doing that the President, Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu felt there was need to give them ample opportunity, that is enough space and time to prove their case if they have any, and if they had none, to create chance for them to perform their dance of shame and exhibit to the fullest, clearly and glaringly the only thing which was in their kitty: ignorance for everybody to see and in the open.
“The President is taking this his participatory leadership too far”. This category of IMT Alumni members said derogatorily.
Some other members of the Association spoke glowingly about the ethical and transformational leadership style of the President, saying
“We know him very well. He is unique, ethical and transformational in his dealings. Few leaders are like him. The reason he was not disturbed, did not handle those involved roughly and not allowing them and their actions and inactions to distract him is not farfetched. We are with him solidly”. They however, regretted that some people, particularly, those they perceived as the ignoramus, did not understand, how much more appreciate this style of leadership, even when they have a lot to learn and to celebrate for being part of the system”. They praised the President for not wasting his energy on them.
By way emphasis they said “It is only the large hearted like our President who unfortunately they consider weak and treat with disdain can tolerate them. After giving them such a long rope, the president will surely strike, if they refuse to change and very soon. They damage they have caused on the personality of some individuals is quite enormous. If they delay till the President’s axe falls them, it may be very heavy, though deserving of them. Mazi Dr. Agodi Kanu is a disciplinarian to the core. He knows exactly what to do and will surely act”. They noted about the president.
In view of the above, they called on those fomenting trouble to desist from it, unless they believe strongly that they have genuine issues they are pursuing, saying: “The future will not be palatable, but full of regrets for them if they continue to indulge in acts that are inimical to the President’s leadership and success of the Association. The President and his National Executive Council are so passionate about the success of the National Alumni Association, IMT Enugu and may no longer continue to tolerate anything that may attempt to derail their objective.
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