- He advised Israel to be prepared to make tough decisions and “step on toes” to achieve success.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that no leader can attain success without making tough decisions that may upset some individuals.
Obasanjo made this statement while hosting Dr. Dayo Israel, the new chairman of the Board of Management of Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, on Sunday.
The visit included the Centre’s Medical Director, Prof Adewale Musa-Olomu, and members of his management team.
Obasanjo advised the new chairman to prepare for challenges ahead and be willing to make difficult decisions when necessary.
He believed that taking such actions would lead to a successful tenure.
As Obasanjo put it, “if you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.”
Obasanjo shared an experience from his past, where he had to dismiss his daughter from working on his farm due to tardiness.
He recalled, “Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter… was engaged on my farm… During long vacation.”
“On day one, she resumed a quarter past seven… I warned her… I told her I will not hesitate to wield the big stick…”
“To my amazement, the following day she was late… I did not hesitate to send her back…”
“This had an indescribable effect on all my employees… saying ‘if Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?'”
Obasanjo also counselled the new chairman to be “just, fair, and humane”.
He praised Prof. Musa-Olomu for his administration’s accomplishments over the past seven and a half years.
Earlier, FMCA Board Chairman Dr Israel described Obasanjo as an international figure, full of wisdom.
The Chairman aimed to transform the Centre into a premier medical facility, attracting patients worldwide.
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