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The Wisdom of Distance

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“Igi gógóró má gun mi lójú, òkèrè là ti ńwò ó.” “A tall tree should not poke my eyes; it is from a distance that we behold it.” There are people in life whose behaviour, words and attitudes can become toxic to our peace of mind. We may wish to understand them, change them, or remain close to them because of affection, history or obligation. But wisdom sometimes lies not in confrontation, but in distance. Just as we admire a thorny tree from afar without allowing its branches to wound us, we can learn to keep a healthy psychological distance from those whose toxicity repeatedly hurts us. Distance is not always hatred, resentment or rejection; sometimes, it is self-preservation. We cannot always control how others behave, but we can choose how close we allow their behaviour to come to our hearts. Some people are best loved from a distance, some understood from a distance, and some simply left at a distance. Keeping psychological distance from toxic people is knowing that prot...
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Hunger Is an Invitation, Not a Command

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When we feel hungry, the stomach is not simply sending a command to fill it with whatever will silence the hunger. It is an invitation to nourish the body with the right food: food that will help the entire system function at its best, providing strength, health and wellbeing. But, I see a deeper lesson here. Not everything that satisfies a craving necessarily serves our wellbeing. In life, we are constantly confronted with appetites,  not only for food, but for money, recognition, power, success, pleasure and acceptance. The temptation is often to satisfy these appetites with whatever is immediately comes our way, without considering the consequences. Yet, just as the body needs the right nourishment to remain healthy, the mind, character and soul need the right values to remain strong. Hunger may tell us that we need to eat, but wisdom tells us what is worth consuming. Perhaps this is one of life's greatest lessons: learning to distinguish between what satisfies us mo...
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The Story of Socrates and the Lamp

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In my search for a truly just and righteous person, one of the most inspiring narratives I have encountered is the story of Socrates and his lamp. It is said that one day, in broad daylight, Socrates was walking through the streets of Athens carrying a lantern in his hand. His unusual behaviour caught the attention of those around him. A passer-by, curious about what he was doing, stopped and asked: “Socrates, what are you looking for?” Socrates continued looking around with his lamp and replied: “I am looking for a just man.” The man, surprised by the answer, asked why he needed a lamp in broad daylight to find a just man. Socrates' response was, in essence: “Although Athens is filled with people, I cannot find a truly just and honest person.” The story is thought-provoking. Many people may appear good, honest and just, but how many genuinely live by those principles when tested?  The same make-believe lifestyle that Socrates observed among some of the people of his ti...
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Integrity Is Teachable

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Integrity is a subject I believe should be taught from kindergarten through to university. Children should learn from an early age that integrity means doing what is right even when nobody is watching; keeping their word; taking responsibility for their actions; treating others fairly; and having the courage to stand by what they know to be right. Academic excellence may open doors, but character determines what a person does once those doors are opened. If we want to build individuals, institutions and societies that can be trusted, integrity cannot be left to chance. It must be deliberately taught, modelled and reinforced throughout a person's education.
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Lessons From Prof Jason Arday Controversy

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Should a person's performance be judged or measured against a standard that is above the requirements of the role they were originally employed to fill? Again, the case of the late Professor Jason Arday continues to intrigue me. He was reportedly diagnosed with autism at the age of three, could not speak until he was 11, and only began reading and writing at 18. Despite these significant developmental challenges, he went on to obtain a degree, a master's degree and a PhD from reputable British universities. Considering what we have learned about autism and the wide range of ways in which it can affect individuals, Arday applied for his academic position, was interviewed and went through the institution's established selection processes. One would therefore assume that his circumstances and abilities were considered by those responsible for his appointment and that, having satisfied the requirements, he was deemed suitable for the role. What I find particularly t...
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Congratulations to Gov. Adeleke

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I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on winning his second-term mandate. His opponents were formidable, but he prevailed. If the ferocious campaign of hatred, intimidation and threats unleashed by the APC had been driven by genuine concerns about the incumbent’s performance, one might have been willing to bear it with equanimity. But the truth, as it appeared to many, was that this was less about performance and more about an overriding desire to seize power by all means necessary. It was the “Emi lo kan” mindset taken too far. In their desperation to grab power, some of their utterances and threats crossed the boundaries of acceptable political conduct. In the end, that approach appears to have backfired. Good riddance! Osun people have spoken, and they are the real winners. Democracy works best when the people (not desperation, intimidation or entitlement) decide who governs them.
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Exit of Karoline Leavitt As Trump’s Press Secretary

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The exit of Caroline Levitt as Donald Trump’s press secretary has prompted reflection on just how demanding and high-pressure the role can be within his political orbit. Serving as press secretary in that environment often means standing before the media each day while trying to project a unified message in the face of rapidly shifting statements, competing narratives, and frequent disputes over basic facts. The job requires constant adjustment, as yesterday’s explanation can quickly be replaced or contradicted by today’s messaging. For someone like Levitt, or anyone in that position, the role extends far beyond routine communication. It becomes an exercise in managing perception under relentless scrutiny, where every briefing is analysed in real time and inconsistencies are immediately amplified across news cycles and social media. Her departure highlights how the strain of the job is not simply about handling press questions, but about sustaining coherence in an environme...
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