When you work for principals, maintain respect, responsibility and trust when you leave them for whatever reasons.
I can advise because I have worked with many principals I have course to disagree on many issues, from Gani Fawehinmi, Olisa Agbakoba, Ken Nnamani, Ojo Maduekwe, President Jonathan, etc.
Never once did I say anything wrong about them when I left. I kept the trust and the respect, and the reciprocated. They continue to love and respect me till date or death.
Gani wrote me a reference to Harvard and described me as the smartest and most honest person he has met, despite that I left his office in some controversy. Until his death, Gani continued to give me complimentary copies of his Nigerian weekly law report. When I wanted to join Ken Nnamani as Special Adviser, I went to Gani to seek counsel and he encouraged me. He said, “Sam, do not let anyone rubbish your reputation. Act like your former Dean. If they do not accept your advice resign”. I continue to love Gani.
I cannot talk less about my relationship with my former boss, Olisa Agbakoba. We had small disagreement when I left to US for graduate student. But we made up. I returned back to his law firm. Last week we had a great conversation on Nigerian politics. No matter how we disagree in the future I cannot imagine myself hitting at Olisa. Never. He is my oga for life.
Ojo Maduekwe continued to consult me for official work (even taking me along for President Yaradua’s state visit to the US as official adviser) despite that I resigned as SA on ground of disagreement. I never speak ill of him. When I left him, I went back with 5 pastors to apologise for leaving him and assure him I would continue to look out for his best interest. I told him it was my fault we could not work well together. Until his death we remained good friends and he would always seek my opinion on any issue with the salutation: ‘great Sam’.
Till date, I am Ken Nnamani’s PA even as I disagreeded with his membership of APC. As NERC chairman, I was still writing speeches for my oga. Oga is Oga, whether I leave his service or not. Loyalty and trust should count for something.
I cannot talk about GEJ. He is oga for life. He continues to like and respect me. And I never speak ill of him, even as I can hold critical views of his governance. When I left NERC and people were attacking him for whatever fail of the power sector, I issued a statement to say, “hold me responsible for any failure, not President Jonathan”.
If you quarrel with your principals and you cannot restrain from abusing them, do not praise yourself, rather mourn for yourself and pray for healing.n
You are not smart or courageous. You are plain foolish. And you can change. Take this as a friendly advice.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Sam Amadi, and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.