Nigeria Needs Sincere Dialogue Backed by Action – Dr Femi Lanre-Oke
Leadership development expert and Executive Director of Still Waters Foundation, Dr Femi Lanre-Oke, has called on Nigerians to embrace sincere, action-driven dialogue as the surest path to resolving the country’s recurring conflicts.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Dr Lanre-Oke noted that differences in culture, upbringing, perspectives, and interests make conflict inevitable. However, he stressed that disputes can be resolved through humility, active listening, and focusing on issues rather than personalities.
“We are wired differently. We see things differently. That clash is what results in conflict. Address the issue, not the person,” he advised.
The leadership coach urged the adoption of transformational leadership to drive positive change in organisations and the nation at large.
He also appealed to journalists to bridge divides by presenting balanced perspectives and speaking truth to power, particularly when communities feel neglected.
On communal crises, Dr Lanre-Oke warned against quick fixes. “If you do not address the root, and use external forces, you just calm it down a little, and it will come back again,” he said.
He encouraged Nigerians to keep promises and take collective responsibility for progress. “If everybody cleans the front of his compound, the whole community will be clean,” he remarked.
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