Osinbajo: Why leaders must remain calm during crisis

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says leaders must learn how to remain calm during times of adversity.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Redeemer’s International Leadership Academy (RILA) on Saturday, Osinbajo said the role of leaders, especially within the Christian community, is central to God’s plan for the world.

The vice-president, who noted that it isn’t unexpected for Christians to also join those who complain during times of crisis, said it is the responsibility of leaders to look beyond such grumblings and focus on solutions.

“It is in times of adversity or difficulty, of hardship, that leaders are most relevant and most needed. When all is well, there is no need for guidance, encouragement, or instruction. When there are wars, conflicts, insurgency, famines, danger, and fear, is when people look to leadership. We who are instructed by the Holy Spirit through the scriptures are the leaders these times demand or such times demand,” he said.

“I want us to share a few nuggets from the encounter of Moses and the children of Israel as the armies of Pharoah chased them to the Red Sea. These nuggets show what is expected of leaders who are trained according to scripture in times of adversity. I want us to see what happens at the moment of the greatest threat to the lives of thousands of Jews led by Moses in Exodus 14:10-17:

“We see here the major challenge that leaders have in a crisis, especially an existential one – one that is a matter of life and death for many. The people immediately begin to complain, old and young, even men and women of God join the army of complainers.

“An interesting point here is that we are told that they prayed in Exodus 14 verse 10, but still grumbled against God in verse 11. So, prayers and fasting do not prevent people from grumbling against God.

“The second issue is that fear drives away the faith of the majority, but the leader cannot afford to lose his cool or his focus. He must calm himself down and calm the people down as well. He must look up to God for help.”