Sir Karl Raimund Popper, better known as Karl Popper, an Austrian-British philosopher, academic and social commentator once said, “All life is problem solving”. He stated this while commenting on the meanings of leadership. It is equally said that good leaders are those who set their minds to solving problems, not just pointing them out. It is in this regard that Glen Llopis, the author of ‘Leadership in the Age of Personalization’, said that “a leader must never view a problem as a distraction, but rather as a strategic enabler for continuous improvement and opportunities previously unseen.”
In making this recommendation, Llopis argues that “effective problem-solving is a crucial aspect of leadership, allowing leaders to identify and solve issues cost-efficient and timely.” He says that leaders who lack wisdom approach problems with linear vision, thus only seeing the problem that lies directly in front of them and blocking the possibilities that lie within the problem. He also stated that such leaders do not ever see the totality of what the problem represents -that it can actually serve as an enabler to improve existing practices and standard procedures for growing and competing in the marketplace.
Problem-solving is the essence of leadership. That is what leaders exist to do. And, Llopis says “I’ve often contended that the best leaders are the best problem solvers. They have the patience to step back and see the problem at hand through broadened observation and circular vision. They see around, beneath, and beyond the problem itself. They see well beyond the obvious. The most effective leaders approach problems through a lens of opportunity.”
As I read Llopis’ treatise on leadership, my mind raced back to Governor Hope Uzodimma and his pragmatic steps towards resolving one issue that had been used to mock the southeast and its existential realities. I am talking of access to the Atlantic. As Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, publicly derided the southeast region as “dot in a circle”. His approach was to use an occurrence of nature to mock the region and put it down. But rather than dwell on Buhari’s negative fixation, Uzodimma looked beyond the problem and elected to design a solution using also, the same occurrence of nature which the state is blessed with. That is leadership vision.
On May 11, 2023, then Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, was in Imo state to flag off, amidst fanfare, the commencement of work on the dredging of Oguta Lake through Urashi River opening into the Atlantic through Degema. Performing the ceremony, Osinbajo said: “As far back as 1914, the British, understanding its strategic importance in connecting the hinterlands to the coast, utilised this route to facilitate the smooth export of products such as palm oil, timber, and coal, from Oguta and its neighbouring regions… Today, we aim to revive this once vibrant and economically strategic channel, furthering job creation and sustainable growth in Imo State and the entire Southeast region… By enhancing coastal connectivity and facilitating seamless transportation, the project will promote trade and investment, spur growth in multiple sectors including shipping, manufacturing, and agriculture, and offer numerous opportunities for the people.”
Following the event, The African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD), through its Chief Executive Officer, Gloria Akobundu, pledged support of the agency towards realization of the project. She said: “It takes a visionary leader and a deep thinker to understand his environment, identify challenges and proffer solutions… it is a win-win thing for Nigeria, it is a win-win thing for Imo state and for Africa at large because that project is going to curb insecurity, strengthen the economic growth… So I see that particular project as a win-win, economic growth, development, job creation and stability of peace and security in the country.”
And, while addressing for than 400 editors who converged on the state for the 2023 Biennial National Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Governor Uzodimma said: “Recently, the former Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, was in Imo State to flag off the dredging of Oguta Lake to Orashi River to Degema and the Atlantic Ocean. This is one project dear to my heart because it is at the heart of the economic development of the entire Southeast region of the country. When the project is completed, with the expected River Port, the economy of Imo State and that of the entire Southeast will start breathing again. I am once again grateful to the Federal Government for the approval granted to us to execute this historic project.”
This is one area where Uzodimma has demonstrated leadership vision and also proved his capacity to see the potentials that are inherent in identified problems. He is not complaining about the problems but tackling them headlong. This also sits well with his vision of expanding access to economic opportunities that will open Imo to possibilities including those inherent in the maritime business including access to the Atlantic, and improved coastal security, especially with the creation of a Naval Base at Oguta, which is strategic to the control of oil theft in the state.
There are skepticisms about the realization of the project by the state government given its capital intensive nature against the backdrop of dwindling resources. However, the most important step towards the realization of any project is the first step. That critical first step has been taken by the Uzodimma administration through the flag-off. It is, therefore, expected that with the removal of the subsidy on petrol, and perhaps, an adjustment in the fiscal policies of government, states of the federation will have more resources to execute very important projects like this one. Besides, the next critical step is for Imo people to hold Uzodimma to his promise to deliver on the project by ensuring that he gets the political mandate to push it to completion and commencement of operations.
A project, as economically strategic as this, has several important implications for the life of the state and the southeast region. Therefore, since it takes visionary and transformative leadership to see the benefits of government policies for tomorrow, it becomes more imperative for Imo people to also take a peep into the governor’s vision and align themselves with them for the good of the state. Uzodimma has demonstrated focus, purpose, seriousness, and readiness to redraw the map of development in Imo state through his actions on several aspects of the life of the state. He is not ready to drop the anchor because this project, as he said is “…dear to my heart”.
Several scholars, and preachers, are agreed that a leader with vision is capable of translating dreams into reality. TB Joshua (Late) also said so: “When you are a man of vision, no matter what constitutes obstacles on your way, you can never be stopped. Opposition cannot stop you; blackmail cannot stop you. Instead of pressure and tension to force you to reduce your vision, it would even enlarge your strategies. A man without opposition has no need for strategies. Opposition makes a man of vision to discover and develop better strategies to further his cause in the presence of his enemies.” In the end, those who believe in their visions, and pursue them, always win.