Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that no leader can achieve success without stepping on toes, emphasizing that effective leadership requires making tough decisions.
Obasanjo made this remark on Sunday while hosting Dr. Dayo Israel, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Management at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. The visit was attended by the Centre’s Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and other management team members.
Addressing Dr. Israel, Obasanjo urged him to prepare for challenges and not shy away from making necessary decisions, even if they are unpopular.
He stated, “if you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.”
To illustrate his point, the former president recounted an incident from his farm after leaving office as Head of State. He revealed that he once dismissed his own daughter from her internship at the farm due to lateness.
He said, “Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at University of Ibadan studying Veterinary Medicine was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during long vacation.
“On day one, she resumed a quarter past seven in the morning as against the usual 7 O’clock. I warned her reminding her that she has an obligation to be of good example to other workers.
“I told her I will not hesitate to wield the big stick should the same be repeated going forward.
“To my amazement, the following day she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.
“Not surprisingly, this had an indescribable effect on all my employees, saying ‘if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?’”
However, Obasanjo advised Dr. Israel to balance firmness with justice, fairness, and humanity in his leadership role.
“If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective,” he said.
In response, Dr. Israel described Obasanjo as a global statesman filled with wisdom and insight. He reiterated his vision of transforming FMC Abeokuta into a world-class medical facility.
Obasanjo also commended Prof. Musa-Olomu for his achievements over the past seven and a half years as the Medical Director of the Centre.
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