Annual lecture held at Conference Hall, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, 8th August 2017

Table of Contents

Salutation 1

Preamble 2

Definitions 6

Leadership 10

Aviation Perspective 14

Character or Attitude 17

Conclusion & Recommendation 23

References for further study 26 L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

SALUTATION

Special Guest of Honour, Your Excellency, President Jerry John Rawlings, former president of the Republic of Ghana, Distinguished Chairman, Chairman of University of Alumni Association (UIAA) Chapter, Your Excellencies, Distinguished and Honourable National and State Assemblies' Members, My Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Your Royal Highnesses and Majesties, all Executive Committee Members of UIAA, fellow Great UITEs, Distinguished Guests, Families and friends of UIAA members (especially my wonderful wife and my angel, Mrs Edna Owolabi), all honourable Politicians especially the Executive Committee and all members of my great political party, All Progressives Congress-APC, Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen. While thanking UIAA Ekiti State Chapter for giving me honour today coinciding with my birthday to deliver this short lecture on Leadership with Character, I wish to recall and thank the UIAA Ibadan for honouring me on 6th June 2008 along with only one other Nigerian and Great UITE, Ambassador A. Al-Gazali with the prestigious University of Ibadan Distinguished Alumnus Award to mark sixty years of university education in on that date at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan. Thank you UIAA. Greatest!

(MAO) DMBBrS .( 1M976, aIbkadaann),j Du Aovl Mae dA, MRkAeiSn, dMAeCleO EOM, FwIAoMlNa (bHion.), FRSM, 1 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

PREAMBLE

1.1 With a population of about 182 million people projected to be 400 million over the next few decades, Nigeria will be the world's fourth - largest country in the world by the middle of this century, yet, on 4th May 2017 in Reflections on Current State of Affairs, Thisday Newspaper Columnist, Abba Mahmoud noted: "It tells a lot about how far we have degenerated when we see governments counting the payment of workers' salaries as part of their achievements! Indeed, it is scandalous .The quality of leadership is so low that hardly any leader is believed when he or she speaks. Instead of providing public goods that ordinary people cannot provide for themselves such as roads and other infrastructure as well as enabling laws and environment for decent living, some governments are organising mass wedding and paying for religious pilgrimages to their supporters! What a waste".

1.2 In a speech to his cabinet in July 2014, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu said: "By now everyone of us has seen it practically that the Blacks and Arabs cannot rule themselves....They are good in nothing else but making noises, dancing, marrying many wives and indulging in sex.... And here is a creature that lacks foresight. The average Black does not plan his life beyond a year". These statements about Blacks may appear both true and debatable because of the bane of recycled and shameless leaders without character that Nigeria has been producing by always playing with her second and third "Eleventh teams". It is certainly not true about some of us who, however, often unfortunately refuse to participate in the National leadership public space with the glaring penalty

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 2 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

(according to Plato, the philosopher) of currently being governed by our inferiors intellectually and morally. Globally, all universities are only established as a citadel and environment for learning and instilling good character traits in all their students. Clearly, what obtains in Nigeria is India's late Mahatma Gandhi's first of his seven social diseases, namely, "Education without Character" to which we must quickly add in Nigeria "Certificate without education" or "Graduates without skills" as a double National calamity!

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 3 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

1.3 Lee Kuan Yew who is undoubtedly the architect and father of modern Singapore wrote that: "We need good people to have good government. However good the system of government, bad leaders will bring harm to their people. On the other hand, I have seen several societies well governed in spite of poor systems of government, because good, strong leaders were in charge". Undoubtedly, the greatest challenge facing Nigeria and other African countries today is the absence of competent leaders with good characters who would put themselves forward for elective public offices.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 4 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

2.0 DEFINITIONS

2.1 A leader is the one with the Skills and Processes for guiding someone or people by direction or example so that the people direct their efforts toward the attainment of specific goals and objectives with positive outcomes or desired results. Of course, there are two main forms of politicians or rulers in Nigeria: the shortsighted, "get rich quick" type who is ill-equipped and, therefore, not recommended and the ones who really go into politics for the love of service to their communities and because, as concerned citizens, they have chosen to do something about the sorry state of affairs of those communities.

2.2 Leadership involves three things mainly and namely, Faith in God and the vision for the organization; secondly, Conduct with honesty in the provision of the welfare of the followers with love; and, thirdly, Character which involves upholding and shaping the necessary organizational or societal values that are essential for peace, productivity, progress and civilization of the community. The original Greek philosophers including Plato and Aristotle submitted that leaders were born while others were also born to be followers. The early ideas on leadership theories focused on simple trait approaches that leaders were born with certain traits that made them effective leaders but it was later realised that such traits were only effective given the right situations (Situational theory) and also that the traits themselves were less important than the actual behaviour exhibited. The situational-behavioural approach to leadership was generally accepted from the 1990s but there are said to be two

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 5 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

types of leadership behaviour, namely, the task-oriented- behaviour which is concerned with goal achievement and the socioemotionally-oriented behaviour which seeks to maintain the group satisfaction only (country club type of leadership orientation).

2.3 Leadership, however, is a modern journey with everyone having its privilege by learning from personal growing experiences as well as the experiences of mentors as every human being already has the seed of leadership planted in him or her by the Creator. A right balance of leadership, however, is most effective but in any situation, the best balance would be between the concern for goals and the concern for people or the followers and this will rightly depend on the type of situation involved whether in an emergency, task-oriented approach like Terrorism Wars or National socioeconomic emergencies where an autocratic approach would be more appropriate than in the situations of some well-developed and corrupt-free democracies where, clearly, undiluted democratic styles would be productive and okay. Notwithstanding, we must accept full responsibility with the right attitudes or characters to allow God's leadership seed in us as humans to germinate through education and self- development in any chosen career or endeavour.

2.4 My thoughts and submissions will come from four decades of unique military plus civil but relevant field which is truly multi-disciplinary and international, namely, Aerospace Medicine & Human Factors for improving the health, safety and

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 6 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

peak performance of billions of people who currently fly annually world-wide with a few even venturing into both scientific and commercial space travels and other extreme or challenging environments or complex, man-machine robotic interfaces of the twenty first century. I will share my knowledge and wisdom gained from day-to-day work and practice over the past forty years in this regard.

2.5 My thoughts coincide with those of my other colleagues of our global Aerospace Medical Association which on the 2nd of May 2017 at Denver, CO, USA reviewed past debates over whether leadership is a genetically-based trait or a skills-set that can be learned and developed over time. In our mutual experiences and submission, effective leaders actually develop their leadership skills through combination of training and experiences. I believe that there are clearly seven traits or skills possessed by the most effective leaders throughout the world:

a. Inspire action.

b. Optimistic.

c. Have integrity.

d. Support and facilitate the team.

e. Have confidence.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 7 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

f. Communicate effectively.

g. Are decisive and accept responsibilities.

The two most effective of all these traits, however, for responsible leadership qualities are Honesty and Integrity.

2.6 It was Warren Bennin who once said that leadership is like beauty and that it is, therefore, very hard to define but is always known when you see it. Leadership can, however, be defined as the facilitation of the movement of a team toward the accomplishment of a task in any field of endeavour or living. It is the process of influencing people to direct their efforts toward the attainment of specific objectives. It is the capacity to influence others positively through inspiration that is motivated by a passion of love for the people, generated by a vision produced by a conviction and ignited by a purpose. Politically, according to Bette (1989: 227) leadership is "a dynamic activity within a group where one person influences all the other members voluntarily to contribute towards achieving established tasks and goals in a unique situation".

2.7 Ross Perot, a USA IT Executive and Philanthropist said: “Eagles don't flock-you have to find them one at a time". Then, a great man, D. Wayne Calloway, former Chairman of PepsiCo Inc. (USA) said: "We take eagles and teach them to fly in formation”. That is leadership at its best! A final definition of leadership that I really like politically is that of Stephen Covey who said that “leadership is the capacity to

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 8 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

translate vision into reality and communicating to the people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves”.

2.8 What about the meaning of Character or Attitude? Character is the moral excellence and firmness, the main essential nature of humans. Although often used interchangeably, attitude extends more to the mental position with regard to any fact or state as well as to the feeling or emotion towards that fact or state o f a f f a i r s . C h a r a c t e r a n d a t t i t u d e d e f i n e t h e essence of leadership. No wonder, a great man of God, Billy Graham once said that “when money is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost but when character (or attitude) is lost, all is lost!”

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 9 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

3.0 LEADERSHIP

3.1 From Peter Drucker, celebrated Leadership tutor, "Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results, not attributes". From Brian Tracy, "Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems", "Leadership is the ability to get extraordinary achievement from ordinary people". Moreover, Warren Bennis, USA Educator & Business writer said: "Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right thing". Mike Ikupolati, a Nigerian Leadership tutor and former President, African Insurance Educators and Trainers said: "Leadership is not positional, it is functional. It is not about what you say but about what you do. It is not about what you do to people, but about what you do with the people".

3.2 There are several theories about leadership (Trait theory, Great events theory, Contingency theory, Transformational theory and many others). The transformational theory, for example, is about how leaders learn via sociocultural and political environments with vision and motivation for leadership effectiveness. In this context, the two most important keys involved in effective leadership are first, trust or confidence and s e c o n d l y , e f f e c t i v e c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h the followers.

3.3 Distinguished Harvard Professor David Gergen in his book Eyewitnesses to Power - The Essence of Leadership

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 10 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

(remember Gergen served as Adviser to four USA Presidents Nixon to Clinton) has summarized "Seven Keys to Responsible and Effective Leadership" in any sphere of life as follows:

a. Leadership starts from within.

b. A central compelling Purpose.

c. Capacity to persuade.

d. Ability to work within the System.

e. A sure quick Start.

f. Strong prudent Advisers.

g. Inspiring others to carry on the Mission. (Leadership without a successor is leadership failure!)

3.4 In general, the desirable qualities of a good leader include the following twelve:

a. Works hard.

b. Does not penalise people for their integrity.

c. Listens before answering but intelligently, politely

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 11 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

ignoring glaring irrelevances and distractions. d. Open to new ideas. e. Listens always to both sides of any story or issue.

f. Stands up under pressure and under praise without losing humility.

g. Has a very good family life with reputation ("First Ladies or First Families" as National character role models).

h. Understands modern healthcare issues, hereby copyrighted as "I AM SAFE" Expanded Checklist:-

i. Has good management of personal Mission, Household and Societal priorities.

j. Earns great respect with integrity of the heart.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 12 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

k. Passes always the ability and character test in previous assignments and endeavours in life, hence the need for leaders' profiles to be scrutinized and validated for authenticity by the followers.

l. Has self - control with patience to apply seven Biblical rules:

(1) Watches his or her tongue always.

(2) Avoids telling lies, even politically.

(3) Strives always to do good to people and not evil.

(4) Works hard at living in peace with others

(5) Demonstrates courage and strength of character in difficult and challenging moments.

(6) Able to recognise falsehood politically, socioeconomically and even religiously.

(7) Able to obtain good advice from subordinates and colleagues without feeling threatened. In this regard, the leader must remember and use five F's, namely, Faith in God and self, Focus, Family time, Fitness orientation and Fun.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 13 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

4.0 AVIATION PERSPECTIVE.

4.1 The Swiss cheese model of aviation accident or human failure causation sequence by Reason in 1997, a proven trajectory from organizational and supervisory levels (called Latent failures or factors) to the front-end final aircrew or personnel environmental factors, as well as manpower factors and the individual conditions of workers which lead to final errors and violations (called Active failures or factors), was modified in 2003 by two US Navy scholars Wiegmann and Shappel into a globally adopted framework for analyzing and classifying accidents and failures from human factors. In this regard, there is global scientific evidence, in the words of James Hall, former Chairman of USA National Transportation Safety Board in 1996, that "Every accident (or failure) no matter how minor, is a failure of the Organization". In this context, Organizational also means Institutional or Systemic.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 14 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

‘HFACS’ ROOT OF HF FAILURES Operating Inputs Latent Conditions Environment Organizational wINSPECTIONS of wGOVT wLEADERSHIP, CHARACTER, Factors AIRPORT facilities STRUCTURE, DECISIONS, ADMIN wLEGISLA or HOSPITALS LAPSES, POLICIES, CULTURE -TION wCORRUPTION, wATTITUDES & CULTURE wMOD / wICT ENVIRON, FMOA Unsafe Latent Conditions Supervision w wCLIMATE CHANGE • NHIS Deficient training program MDCN wImproper crew pairing NCAA Preconditions Latent /Active Conditions for wPoor CRM / “ICT” Unsafe Acts wLoss of situational awareness Unsafe Active Conditions Acts wMisread FMS display wFailure to consult approach plat w7 Bad Attitudes

Failed or Accident & Injury Absent Defenses Aircraft, Company, , NASRDA, Hangar Tower, PATIENT OR NIGERIA Human Factors Analysis & Classification System (HFACS)

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 15 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

4.2 This is why we must appreciate that the challenge of leadership is so critical in all areas of life including education, healthcare, technology, economics, sociology and politics, among others. Even in criminology, it is said that every society prepares the crime while the people only commit it later, further demonstrating the institutional or organizational root and foundation for all human failures. Bryan Walsh, Time Magazine Writer, in the 15th May 2017 Edition, had this to tell the world in further emphasizing and demonstrating the organizational foundation of all human failures and disasters in his example about Ebola Virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: "Science knows how to fight an outbreak - but Policy still gets in the way” The root of the human failures are generic. The same reasons why we crash aircraft or kill innocent patients are also the reasons why we crash nations or states. Leadership failure in Africa is, however, not genetic as President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, President Barrack Obama of USA and President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana have proven to the whole world. Nevertheless, Eagles don't flock; you have to find them one at a time!

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 16 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

5.0 CHARACTER OR ATTITUDE

5.1 About character, the late Physicist & Nobel Laurate, Albert Einstein: said "Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: It is Character (Attitude)". Moreover, late USA President Theodore Roosevelt said: "Character in the long run is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike".

5.2 Chapter 2 Section 23 of Nigeria's Constitution lists seven national ethics or desirable character traits as follows: Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of labour, Social justice, Religious tolerance, Self- reliance and Patriotism. The protracted problems of our country result from our deficits in attitude and character in all matters of government, politics, religion, science or technology, law & order, ethnicity, economics and business. Someone has likened this to having many good cars and handing them over to bad drivers resulting in recurrent accidents on the roads because of the bad attitude of these drivers.

5.3 For an organization or society to achieve excellence, the leader must have good, strong and honourable character. Sheik Abdulrahman Ahmad in Thisday Newspaper of 17th July 2008 said: "Remember, Allah does not change the condition of the people until they change that which is in their hearts". Moreover, the Holy Bible in 1 Samuel Chapter 16 Verse 7 clearly states that even God judges mankind based only on their Faith and Character and not on the basis of external appearances or physical endowments: "But the Lord said to Samuel. "Don't judge by

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 17 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

his appearance and height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance but the Lord looks at a person's Thoughts and Intentions" -New Living Translation.

5.4 As highlighted earlier, the ten important traits of a good leader should include Honesty; Competence; Forward-looking nature; Inspiration; Intelligence; Fair-mindedness; Broad- mindedness; Courage; Straight-forwardness; and Imagination. From them, we can distil four major leadership attributes as follows:

a. Risk taking-with constant urge for innovation and modern trends, refusing to be limited by societal norms and limits.

b. Mental toughness-when being criticized or facing tough situations with the ability to limit the impact of personal stresses on their lives.

c. Superior communication with good listening skills and the abilities for inspiring others, for superior interviewing skills to ask just the right questions.

d. Going the extra mile - putting more efforts than expected ordinarily into all endeavours with a spirit of perseverance and endurance.

5.5 From my aerospace and human factors insights and experiences while providing statutorily mandatory training for

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 18 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers and other professionals involved in very complex, safety-sensitive occupations world- wide, I am able to confirm that there are a total of "Seven dangerous Character traits or Attitudes" that are responsible ultimately for all failures, accidents and disasters in any area of human endeavours as follows:

a. Complacency - confidence with contentment and a reduced sense of awareness of potential dangers.

b. Anti - Authority - "no one can tell me what to to do”

c. Invulnerability - which means feeling bullet-proof, thinking that accidents or disasters happen only to other people. For example, you cannot work against the state or federal authority and expect everything to go well with you which is why I remove anyone in my political team always abusing or working against the Governor or President of the nation as such people are just disasters waiting to happen.

d. Peculiar "ICT" (Ignorance, Culture & Tradition) –remember half – knowledge could be worse than ignorance when combined with corruption or misuse of public office for private gain including bribery; impunity; hypocrisy; insincerity; political prostitution; mediocrity; religious idolatry and polytheism; pervasive immorality and culture of "political rape among the leaders at all levels in what is clearly a dysfunctional and disabled federalism

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 19 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

in Nigeria. e. Impulsiveness - "do something, anything immediately" instead of "stop and think before any action". We currently teach all professionals Decision-making as a subject in a simple but very effective and scientifically validated method, the "DECIDE" acronym method. ("DECIDE" means: Detect problem or issue; Estimate its impact; Choose all options: Identify best option; Do it; Evaluate.) f. Resignation - avoiding responsibility for difficult choices and challenges and without essential motivation or "SCREAM" mentality. ("SCREAM" means: Support; Communicate; Respect; Educate; Assertiveness with humility; and Monitor each other). In any organization or society, one should realize that criticism is not disloyalty. In this regards, we must remember the statement of the Sultan of , Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III while speaking in in May 2017: "My advice to security agencies, police officers and the paramilitary organizations is that we must play by the book. Criticism should not be seen as disloyalty………Political corruption, hunger, unemployment by a bad government is also a security threat". g. Macho attitude or Machoism - always trying to prove that one is better than other people with "I can do it all" arrogance and even taking risks just to prove it. These "Deputy Gods" or "sky gods" as we used to call them

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 20 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

abound in every sphere of human endeavours and they are potential disasters or accidents waiting to happen. Of course, another dimension of Macho attitude is that of disrespect or lack of value for women or youths who are also divinely and equally endowed with same potentials as men. Macho attitude includes also some clearly psychopathic, hypomanic or hard drugs –abused politicians on parade as leaders of some Nigerian establishments, communities or states.

5.6 Religiously with my personal copyright, I have correlated these seven dangerous character traits or attitudes with the seven Biblical messages of our Lord, Jesus Christ to the seven churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, respectively, in the Biblical Book of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3. Nevertheless, the ultimate character traits to be pursued by both leaders and followers are the nine-fold Fruit of the Holy Spirit, namely, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self - control in (Galatians Chapter 5 verse 22). Notice that in this list, Love for others is the first and most important; our leaders should start demonstrating patriotic love to our people and, indeed, for Nigeria.

5.7 About our "peculiar ICT", late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu once said: "The problem with Nigeria is one of ethnicity. Somehow, if we can solve that problem…….if the various ethnic groups are made comfortable in Nigeria, there will be less tension". This obviously requires genuine love, not nepotism or tribal suspicions.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 21 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

Moreover, late poet and writer, Chinua Achebe once wrote: "One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised………….. Our inactions or cynical actions are a serious betrayal of our education, of our historic mission and of succeeding generations who will have no future unless we save it now for them".

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 22 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

6.0 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Dwight Eisenhower, 34th USA President said: "You do not lead by hitting people over the head-that's assault, not leadership". Nigeria's political leaders at all levels should take note that harassing the led socioeconomically and closing their businesses without conscience or morality is not leadership but a crime called assault! From Canada, Henry Mintzberg, Educator &Writer noted: "Leadership, like swimming, cannot be learned by reading about it" and late John F. Kennedy, 35th USA President once said: "It is time for a new generation of leadership, to cope with new problems and new opportunities. For there is a new world to be won". For leadership success, celebrated General Collin Powell, former USA Secretary of State wrote: "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure". Meanwhile, and I find this most applicable to many Nigerian states and local governments, from Charles Bukowski who once wrote that "The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence". Nigeria's past till now can best be summarized as one of bad leadership with mediocrity, the exact opposite of what she needs urgently for her progress and development, namely, Good Leadership with Character of Excellence and Godliness. This is why I would like to end this very short piece with what USA Senator Ted Kennedy said in 2008 that I find most appropriate to Ekiti State specifically and Nigeria in general. He said: "This campaign is about a new generation of leadership today. A generation ready to be part of something bigger than themselves. A generation ready to change the world".

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 23 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

6.2. My recommendation is simple: active participation in Nigerian politics especially at the grass root levels by all those who really graduated from Nigerian universities and polytechnics. We must also change our attitude to politics and governance of winner takes all, of revenge, vendetta, vengeance, exclusion, extreme partisanship, wickedness and sadism which have been excluding close to 80 per cent of Nigerians in government activities and expenditures at all levels. Instead we need urgently a political class in greater numbers of good leaders with the right characters and attitudes who are ready to serve and work passionately for the peace, progress and prosperity of Nigeria. Finally, we should not forget but reflect seriously about what Anon, a writer said concerning our terrible situation and predicament: "African educational systems have surprising outcomes. The smartest students pass with 1st class and get admissions into medical and engineering schools. The 2nd class students get MBAs and LLBs to manage the 1st class students. The 3rd class students enter politics and rule the 1st and 2nd class students. The failures enter the underworld of crime and control the politicians and the businesses. And best of all, those who do not attend school become the prophets and everyone follows them!”

6.3 I thank you for your kind attention and for honouring me on this special birthday. My warmest regards go to everyone present here and may Almighty God bless UIAA, my alma mata,

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 24 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

the great and premier University of Ibadan and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Amen. Greatest UITEs!

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 25 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

7.0 REFERENCES FOR FURTHER STUDY

(a) Adair John, Effective Leadership, Pan Books Ltd, London, 1973.

(b) David Gergen, Eyewitnesses to Power: The Essence of Leadership Nixon to Clinton, Simon & Schuster, 2001.

( c ) Ikupolati Mike, The Secret of Effective Leadership, published by Nkem Chiejina Books Fair Ltd, , 2010.

(d) International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Human Factors Training Manual, First Edition, 1998, Approved by United Nations Secretary - General, Doc 9683-AN/950, 1.4.15- 2.4.9

(e) J. Sventek, Leadership Development-A Personal Journey, Aerospace Medical Association 88th Annual Scientific Meeting, Denver, CO, USA, May 2017.

(f) Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi, One Thousand Lessons, Instructions, Decision and Sharing ("LIDS") of God's Wisdom, Opportunities, Revelations and Direction for righteous living"WORD"), Wondernet Ministry International. Exploits Graphics Communications, . ISBN 978-978-954-198-0 especially, Preface & "LIDS" numbers 579-592; and 982 with Table on Page 231 on 7 Attitudes, 7 Churches, Rebuke and Actions.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 26 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) L e a d e r s h i p w i t h C h a r a c t e r

(g) Wiegmann DA, Shappel SA, Human Error and Crew Resource Management Failures in Naval Aviation Mishaps: A Review of US Naval Safety Centre data, 1990-96. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 1999; 70: 1147-51.

Dr. Makanjuola Akindele Owolabi (MAO) MBBS (1976, Ibadan), D Av Med, MRAeS, MACOEM, FIAMN (Hon.), FRSM, 27 FWACP, FAsMA (Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors; Internal Medicine) octor Owolabi is West Africa's first Fellow and DChief Consultant in Aerospace Medicine and Human Factors of both West African College of Physicians and the USA based Aerospace Medical Association. He hails from Aisegba, Ekiti State although born in Ile- (, Nigeria) on the 8th of August 1953. Dr. M A Owolabi is a highly QualifiedPeer/Pioneer in Aviation Medical world focused on the evolvement of Aviation and Medicine. He is extremely passionate about his work and has professional principles. His modus operandi is adopting a positive attitude towards initiating new ideas and is personally responsible for radical changes towards improving services to fellow countrymen. Dr. Owolabi is the president and founder of Makanjuola and Edna Owolabi Charity Foundation, which has been touching lives since 2003. He is also the founder and chief servant of Wondernet Ministry International (WMI). Dr. Owolabi has been married for over 38 years to his sweetheart Edna (his partner in life and business). They are blessed with 4 great children each with excellent educational achievements in Medicine/Sciences; Architecture/Business; Global Banking & Finance/MSc Business; and in Law, respectively. His hobbies include Touching lives, Playing Tennis, Tele- Medicine, Flying for leisure and being an Arsenal Football club fan.

+234 7038287880