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GOVERNOR OKOWA AND THE MORAL STORY OF “UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS A CROWN’’

Damocles was one of the courtiers of Dionysius, a King of Sicily. He always flattered the king, saying. “How grand it must be to be a great king like you! One day, Dionysius said to him, “You shall be a king for one day…

Damocles did not believe his ears. He thought that the king was joking. The next morning, the king sent for him. He asked him to take his seat on the throne. Damocles’ heart was in a flutter. He thought he would be the happiest man in the world.

Dionysius quietly slipped away. Damocles found himself on the throne dressed in royal robes. The courtiers stood round him. They praised him to the skies. Their words of praise sounded to him like sweet music.

Just then, there was a commotion on one side. Damocles looked up. He stood aghast when he saw a sword above his head. It hung by a thread like horse hair. Damocles turned pale. What if the sword fell on him! It would be the end of his precious life. His joy came to a sudden end. He now began to count the hours. He wished to get rid of the throne. He even sent a word to the king to allow him to go.
Now it was dinner time. Damocles was offered the choicest dishes but he had no appetite for anything. The sword hanging over his head was terrifying enough to take life out of him. He envied the nobles and courtiers. How happy and carefree they looked! How glad he would be to change places with them.
The king took pity on him. He allowed him to leave the throne. He warned him never to say again that the king is the happiest mortal alive. Damocles heaved a sigh of relief. He begged the king’s forgiveness. The king thus taught Damocles a useful lesson. He learnt that —’Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown’.
A crown is symbolic of leadership. Leadership bears responsibility. Persons with great responsibility, carry a heavy burden to lead their people. Thus, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Leadership is not easy. It comes with a great burden of responsibility and many challenges.

No responsible leader sits idle and watch his people go through pains. Hence the sheer lack of knowledge sometimes deliberately exhibited by some people is most vexatious. They are either not aware of the current economic recession or they are deliberately demonstrating mischief. Rather than see decline in the fulfillment of government financial obligations as the result of paucity of funds arising from the economic downturn in the country, they ignorantly and with outright deceitfulness, place the culpability on the governor.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa possesses the two major traits of leadership success: discipline and commitment. The main reason why most policies and programmes fail in this country is because of lack of discipline and commitment among the Nigerian ruling elite. Discipline is an important ingredient in the successful implementation of public policies and programmes. And discipline has a lot to do with respect for timelines.

Development is possible if you are sincere and you have commitment. Commitment is the other important thing – commitment to development. Governor Okowa is a very disciplined person. He is also committed and focused towards the achievement of his plans for the development of the State through good governance.  

He also possesses strong values, honest and upholds integrity. He is someone who strives to make people better, encouraging and takes genuine interest in others. A creative risk taker.

In the over one year of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's leadership, Delta State has witnessed a total turnaround from the recent past in the way and manner government activities are carried out.

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown” ... leaves us with the lesson whose implications extend well beyond Delta State. Socio-political disconnects are everywhere. But rational, patriotic and well-meaning persons should be able to draw the lines. They should carry the proverbial wine and water – and be in the best position to tell the difference in weight.


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