THE MAN WHO RAISED THE BAR FOR HIMSELF

THE MAN WHO RAISED THE BAR FOR HIMSELF

By: Julius Oyedokun

There is a unique problem that comes with success: the more you achieve, the higher the expectations.

A student who scores 90% today is expected to score at least the same 90% tomorrow. Excellence has a way of becoming a burden because people expect you to repeat it and keep breaking new ground.

That, perhaps, is the situation Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA has found himself in. He has become the man who raised the bar for himself and expectation of the people of him.

A few days ago, while meeting with some influential Egba Chiefs, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA once again made a statement many of us have heard him repeat on several occasions:

“I cannot go below my own standard.”

Naturally, such a statement can easily be dismissed as political talk. After all, politicians are expected to market themselves.

However, what caught my attention was what followed.

In explaining what he meant by “standard,” Senator Yayi narrated how he was driving through parts of Abeokuta one night and noticed that several areas of the city were poorly illuminated.

Of course, many of us know what usually happens when a Nigerian public office holder notices a problem.

•A committee may be set up.

•A memo may be written.

•A few promises may be made.

•The matter is discussed for a few days and, before long, everybody moves on as though nothing ever happened.

But that was not Yayi!

That simple observation led to the facilitation of 10,000 solar street lights across communities. As if that was not enough, another 4,000 units were subsequently added.

What struck me even more was that he did not speak as someone who believed the job was already done.

He went further to state that if there are still communities and areas in need of street lights, within Ogun Central Senatorial Districts, such locations should be brought to his attention because he remains willing to do more.

That statement may appear insignificant at first glance, but it reveals a lot about his mindset.

Most politicians only celebrate what they have done. Very few concern themselves with what is left undone.

The difference between the two is often the difference between performance and exceptional performance.

Honestly, when I heard that figure, I paused for a moment.

Fourteen thousand solar street lights?

At that point, it became easier to understand what he meant by “standard.”

Because a man who responds to a simple observation with that scale of intervention is definitely setting expectations for himself.

Now, I know that performance can sometimes become a burden. Once people have seen what you are capable of doing, they naturally expect more because people always ask for more like Oliver Twist.

…The road you constructed yesterday becomes the reason they expect a bigger one tomorrow. The school you built yesterday becomes the reason they expect more classrooms tomorrow. The street lights you installed yesterday become the reason they expect brighter communities tomorrow.

That is the burden of performance!

And that is why I found Senator Yayi’s statement particularly interesting.

Infact, the real issue may no longer be whether Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola will perform as Governor of Ogun State.

The real issue is whether he can afford to perform below the standard he has already established for himself and judging by what we have seen so far, that may be the one thing he cannot do.

Yayi will not go below his own standards!. That is even Sen Yayi’s own conviction!

– Julius Babatunde Oyedokun

Host, Gateway UNSCRIPTED. He writes from Ipokia Local Government Area, Ogun State.