By Eseimieghan Ebikena Felix

There is an old saying in Ijaw land that “What you see clearly during the day, you do not need to carry a lantern to search for at night.”

This is not just an ordinary saying from our elders. It is a message of wisdom, recognition and understanding. It teaches us that when something good is happening before our eyes, we should not allow personal interests, political differences or unnecessary criticism to prevent us from acknowledging it.

When I reflect on this saying, I look at the leadership and activities of High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and Maton Nigeria Limited. Although these organisations have different responsibilities and areas of operation, I see a common principle in the development efforts associated with them: building people, protecting communities, creating opportunities and investing in the future of the Niger Delta.

Leadership is not only about what you give people today, but what you prepare them to become tomorrow.

There is a popular saying that goes, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This is the kind of leadership philosophy I believe our region needs.

Looking at the direction of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Otuaro, we can see the importance being placed on education, local and international scholarships, vocational training and human capacity development. The idea is not simply to give people financial assistance today, but to equip them with knowledge and skills that can sustain them tomorrow.

A young man who receives technical training today can become an employer tomorrow. A young woman who benefits from a scholarship today can become a professional who contributes to the development of our region. A person who acquires a useful skill today can become financially independent and contribute positively to society. That is empowerment. That is development. That is investing in the future.

Looking beyond education: the activities of Tantita and Maton Nigeria Limited

In the same way, when I look at the community development and empowerment activities associated with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Nigeria Limited, I see another important aspect of leadership that deserves recognition.

Development is not only about giving scholarships or providing employment. It is also about creating an environment where people can live peacefully, businesses can operate and communities can grow.

What is the value of building a school where children cannot learn safely? What is the benefit of creating employment where insecurity prevents people from going to work?

This is why I believe investment in community security is also an investment in development. Efforts such as supporting the construction of police stations and other security infrastructure are important because the protection of lives and property creates the foundation for meaningful development.

When a community is secure, businesses can grow, children can attend school, investors can have confidence and families can live with greater peace of mind. Likewise, supporting people in need, assisting communities with infrastructure, creating employment opportunities and providing training are all ways of building a society where people can become more independent.

What interests me most is not just the immediate assistance people receive, but the long-term opportunities that such support can create. Giving someone financial assistance may solve today's problem, but giving that person employment, training and a useful skill can change the direction of their life.

A person who becomes independent through training and employment can support a family, train others, create businesses and contribute to the wider society. And this is where I see a connection between the human development vision of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the broader community development efforts of Tantita and Maton Nigeria Limited. One is helping to develop human capacity through education and training, while the others demonstrate how security, employment, infrastructure and community support can contribute to development.

But why do we sometimes fight against the very things that can benefit our people? This is one question I continue to ask myself.

Sometimes, when a leader chooses to invest in the future rather than satisfy every immediate personal demand, some people become uncomfortable. Some would rather receive fish every day than learn how to fish for themselves. And when they discover that a leader is determined to pursue a long-term vision, they may resort to unnecessary criticism, personal attacks or attempts to discredit the effort.

But I believe we must begin to think differently. The Niger Delta cannot develop if our only interest is what we can personally collect from those occupying positions today. We must begin to ask ourselves what we are contributing towards the development of our communities. If someone is supporting education, let us encourage it. If someone is creating employment, let us appreciate it. If someone is investing in community security, let us recognise its importance. If someone is providing training that will make our youths independent tomorrow, let us support that vision.

This does not mean that leaders or organisations should be above accountability or constructive criticism. It means that our criticism should be directed towards improvement and the collective interest, rather than personal disappointment. 

Not everybody can occupy the same office, but everybody can contribute to the same vision. This is another important lesson I want our Niger Delta brothers and sisters to understand. We cannot all be administrators, company directors, political office holders or community leaders at the same time. But we can all contribute ideas, encourage positive initiatives, support development programmes and work towards the progress of our people.

We should not always see another person's opportunity as our own disadvantage. When a young person from the Niger Delta becomes educated, skilled and employed, the entire region stands to benefit. When our communities become safer, everybody benefits. When businesses grow and create employment, families benefit. When development reaches our communities, generations yet unborn will benefit.

Leadership should never be measured only by the number of people who receive money today, but also by the number of lives that are transformed for tomorrow.

My personal message. To Dr. Otuaro and those behind the development and empowerment initiatives associated with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and Maton Nigeria Limited, my message is one of encouragement. Continue to prioritise education, security, community development, employment and meaningful empowerment. Continue to create opportunities that will help our young people become independent and productive members of society.

There will always be different opinions, and constructive criticism should always be welcomed. But the ultimate goal must remain the welfare and future of our people.

To my fellow Niger Delta brothers and sisters, I say this: Let us stop measuring development only by what enters our pockets today. Let us begin to measure it by the opportunities we are creating for our children tomorrow. A scholarship today can produce a professor tomorrow. A vocational training opportunity today can produce a successful entrepreneur tomorrow. A job opportunity today can bring financial independence to an entire family. A police station built today can contribute to the safety and development of a community for years to come. And a single act of genuine empowerment today can change the story of generations.

Our elders have already given us the wisdom: “What you see in the day, you do not need to look for a lantern to search for it at night.”

Let us learn to recognise positive contributions while they are happening, support what benefits our people and work together to build a stronger, safer, educated and economically independent Niger Delta.

The greatest legacy of leadership is not how many people depend on you today, but how many people you have empowered to stand on their own tomorrow.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mr. Eseimieghan Ebikena Felix writes from Benikrukru Community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State