society
Power is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People
Power is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester for SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Power is not an inheritance. It is not a birthright. It is not even a possession. Power, in its truest form, is a loan temporary, conditional, and transient. It is entrusted to individuals by people, institutions or circumstances, but it always comes with an expiry date. The tragedy of our world, however, is that too many leaders behave as though power is eternal. They clutch onto it, abuse it, weaponize it and in the end, leave nothing behind but ruins, regret and ridicule.
The French philosopher Voltaire once remarked: “With great power comes great responsibility.” But in our era, we must go further: with great power comes the obligation to plant people. To plant people is to empower them, mentor them, uplift them and prepare them for a time when you are no longer in the spotlight. For one day, inevitably, the motorcades will vanish, the applause will fade and the titles will turn into footnotes. What will remain is the impact you left on human lives.
The Fragility of Power: Why No One Holds It Forever.
History, politics and life itself have shown that power is fleeting. Even the most feared emperors and the most influential presidents eventually yield to time. The Roman Empire, once stretching across continents, collapsed. The mighty Pharaohs of Egypt, who believed themselves divine, are remembered today only as names etched on tombs. Closer to home, African military dictators who once ruled with iron fists now live in obscurity, some begging for relevance in old age.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama put it sharply: “The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.” What he meant is that no matter how powerful you think you are, time has a way of humbling everyone. Leaders who imagine themselves irreplaceable soon discover the bitter truth: power is seasonal and every season changes.
This is why the greatest leaders are those who use their moment not to build monuments to themselves but to build people. Because monuments crack, but people remember.
Leadership Beyond Tenure: Planting People as Legacy.
Leadership, in its essence, is not measured by the number of years spent in office but by the number of lives transformed in that period. Nelson Mandela, who ruled South Africa for just one term, remains immortal in global memory not because he clung to office but because he planted people and values. He mentored a new generation of South African leaders, built institutions and showed the world that humility is the highest form of power.
John C. Maxwell, the world-renowned leadership expert, insists: “The greatest legacy a leader can leave is having developed other leaders.” The logic is simple; TITLES DIE, but PEOPLE LIVE ON. The greatest misuse of power, therefore, is to leave people the same (or worse) than you met them.
The Tragedy of Hoarded Power.
When power is hoarded instead of shared, the result is decay. Leaders who suppress others to protect their dominance always end up isolated. They mistake fear for loyalty, but once they step down, the very people who applauded them disappear. History is full of such examples.
Idi Amin of Uganda, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire and Sani Abacha of Nigeria all wielded absolute power in their days. But what became of them? Their regimes collapsed in disgrace. They planted no people, built no successors and left their nations bleeding. Today, they are remembered not for greatness but for tyranny.
Contrast this with leaders like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, who invested heavily in education, youth empowerment and national capacity-building. Though gone, he planted a nation of thinkers and innovators. Singapore, once a poor fishing island, is now a first-world economy, proof that planting people outlives personal reign.
Why Planting People Matters in All Spheres of Life.
This principle is not limited to politics. In business, religion and community leadership, those who succeed in developing people extend their influence far beyond their lifetimes. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, understood this. Though a perfectionist, he invested in building a strong leadership culture at Apple. That is why, years after his death, Apple continues to thrive.
In religion, Jesus Christ is perhaps the greatest example of planting people. He never built a palace or wrote a book. Instead, He invested in twelve disciples, ordinary men who later carried His message to the ends of the earth. Over two thousand years later, His influence remains unmatched, because He planted people, not monuments.
The Reality Check: What Happens When Power Ends.
We must never forget: the applause will fade. The titles will become past tense. The security convoys will vanish. The table will empty. At that point, what will remain is not the office you once occupied but the lives you touched.
The 20th-century historian Lord Acton’s timeless warning remains true: “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Yet, there is a caveat often ignored; power can also elevate, if used rightly. It can inspire, empower and transform. The leader who recognizes this truth plants seeds in people while their influence lasts, because they know they will not hold it forever.
The Call to Leaders: Plant People While You Can.
To every leader (political, corporate, spiritual or community-based) the call is urgent: plant people while your voice still carries weight. Mentor the youth, empower the voiceless and create platforms for others to rise. While your hand still holds the pen, sign opportunities into others’ lives. Because one day, the pen will no longer be yours to hold.
The Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe once wrote: “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” The integrity of leadership is tested not by the ability to acquire power, but by the willingness to share it, to empower others and to leave behind a generation better prepared than the one before.
A Personal Reflection.
Every society that has risen to greatness has done so on the back of leaders who planted people. Japan invested in education after World War II and became a global economic giant. Rwanda, under Paul Kagame, rose from genocide by investing in its people, particularly women and the youth. The evidence is overwhelming: leaders who plant people never die; their names are written in the hearts of men.
Conversely, leaders who hoard power, suppress others and treat their positions as private empires often face tragic endings. They die lonely, forgotten or mocked, not because they didn’t once have power, but because they failed to use it meaningfully.
Final Word: Power as a Loan, Legacy as an Obligation.
At the end of the day, the truth remains eternal: power is a loan, not a possession. It is lent for a while and must be returned. But while it is in your hands, you have the sacred duty to plant people.
The applause will fade. The convoys will vanish. The spotlight will dim, but the people you lifted will carry your name across generations. They will become your greatest reference long after the titles are gone.
So, use power wisely. Not to silence, not to oppress, not to immortalize yourself, but to plant others. Because when all is said and done, people are the only legacy that never dies.
society
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a statement released to the press, the Initiative conveyed warm wishes for the President’s personal well-being and for his continued leadership of the nation. The statement, signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, expressed hope that the coming year would bring the President “renewed strength and more wisdom in guiding the nation.”
The statement further noted that the Grand Patron of the Initiative, His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, joined in celebrating the milestone. It added, “Wishing Your Excellency continued good health, vitality, and determination as you lead the country towards greater unity and progress.”
The message underscores support for President Tinubu’s administration and its national objectives, marking the birthday as an occasion to reaffirm commitment to the nation’s unity and advancement under his stewardship.
society
Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu …Calls for Moral Renewal
*Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu
…Calls for Moral Renewal
Lagos – Dominion City has announced plans to host its annual Global Camp Meeting alongside a special “2 Nights of Glory” gathering in April 2026, with events scheduled to be held simultaneously in Lagos and Enugu.
The week-long programme is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants onsite and millions of virtual attendees from across the globe.
The Global Camp Meeting will run from Wednesday, April 1 to Monday, April 6, featuring daily sessions at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The “2 Nights of Glory” is slated for Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at the Golden Heart Place, Km 22 Lekki-Epe Expressway, beside Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos.
Organised by Dominion City, a global church focused on raising transformational leaders, the conference will centre on revival, spiritual renewal, and practical teachings. This year’s theme, “Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers,” underscores a call to return to foundational values and principles.
Speaking ahead of the event, Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe, emphasised the need for moral reawakening as a pathway to national transformation. He described the Church as “the pillar and foundation of truth,” noting that the conference aims to confront moral decline and restore core values within society.
“We are going back to foundational truths that established the Church. These truths will help repair societal damage and reposition the Church as a source of hope and light,” Onaga said.
Also speaking, Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor of Dominion City Headquarters, highlighted the Church’s role in addressing ethical and cultural challenges, particularly among young people. He added that the programme would go beyond spiritual teachings to include sessions on artificial intelligence, innovation, business, media, arts, and career development.
“We are equipping people not just spiritually, but with relevant 21st-century skills to thrive in today’s world,” Olapade noted.
The conference will feature teachings and ministrations from a lineup of international ministers, including Dr. David Ogbueli, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Andres Bisonni, Pastor Randy Mitchell, Apostle Ikechukwu Peter Nnajiofor, Dr. Ferdinand Nweke, Apostle Ben Hanyani Ndobe, Evangelist Dan Scott, and Dr. Chiefo Ejiofobiri.
Music ministrations will also be led by notable gospel artists such as Grace Idowu, Rhema Onuoha, Once More Six, David Nkennor, Anthony Kani, and GUC.
Organisers disclosed that over 30,000 participants are expected to attend in person, with free transportation provided from designated locations across Lagos to ease access. In addition, free medical services will be offered daily, building on previous outreaches that benefited over 1,700 people.
To ensure safety and order, more than 200 traffic marshals will be deployed in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Beyond its spiritual impact, organisers project that the event will stimulate local economic activity across hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.
The Global Camp Meeting remains a key platform for spiritual impartation, leadership development, and societal transformation, aligning with Dominion City’s mission to equip believers to influence their communities positively.
Participation is open to the public, with registration available online for both physical and virtual attendance. //END.//
*PHOTO CAPTIONS:*
L-R: Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ); Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, DCHQ, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held the weekend of 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
L-R: Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, DCHQ; and Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held over the weekend in 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
society
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Elebo II, has extended warm felicitations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a goodwill message issued from his palace, the revered monarch described President Tinubu as a visionary statesman, a courageous reformer, and an indefatigable democrat whose lifelong commitment to nation-building continues to shape Nigeria’s progress.
Oba Babatunde Saliu praised the President’s unwavering dedication to public service, noting that his leadership has ushered in a new phase of economic reform, infrastructural renewal, and institutional strengthening across the country.
According to the monarch, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda has begun yielding tangible relief and renewed confidence among citizens, reflecting his determination to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional resilience, strategic foresight, and a deep love for Nigeria. His administration’s bold initiatives are laying the foundation for long-term national transformation. At 74, he remains steadfast in his resolve to build a stronger, more united, and economically vibrant nation,” the monarch stated.
Oba Babatunde further commended the President’s legacy of leadership, describing him as a bridge-builder, a mentor to many leaders, and a symbol of democratic stability. He acknowledged the President’s decades of sacrifice and contribution to the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
On behalf of the Oworosoki Kingdom, the royal father prayed for divine wisdom, sound health, and renewed strength for the President to successfully complete the noble reforms and developmental strides he has embarked upon for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“As Your Excellency marks 74 remarkable years, we pray that Almighty God grants you long life, continued wisdom, and the fortitude to steer our great nation toward greater heights. May your days be filled with strength and grace as you continue to serve Nigeria with distinction,” Oba Babatunde Saliu added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clocks 74 as a leader whose enduring influence, bold reforms, and steadfast patriotism remain central to Nigeria’s ongoing journey of national renewal.
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