During difficult times, leaders must demonstrate care, humility, and good timing. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, U.S. President George W. Bush faced criticism for being slow to respond. According to Michael Eric Dyson in his book “Come Hell or High Water,” Bush’s visit to affected areas and personal interactions with survivors helped rebuild trust and restore hope. Actions like this highlight why empathy and timing are crucial in leadership. Unfortunately, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent media chat on December 23, 2024, missed this mark. While the nation mourned deadly stampedes and battled rising living costs, the president’s focus on praising his administration’s reforms felt poorly timed and disconnected.
Just a day before the media chat, several tragic stampedes occurred during charity events, killing many, including children. In Ibadan, a stampede at a children’s funfair claimed the lives of at least 35 children. Held at the Islamic High School in Basorun, the event, meant to spread joy, turned into a disaster due to overcrowding and poor crowd control.
In Abuja, a palliative distribution at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church led to a stampede that killed at least 10 people, including children. Over 3,000 individuals gathered, desperate to receive food, leading to overwhelming chaos. The crowd surged uncontrollably as people pushed and shoved, creating a frantic and dangerous environment. This stampede left families grieving and emphasized the harsh realities of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Similarly, in Anambra, another stampede during food distribution in Okija left 22 people dead, showcasing the desperation faced by many Nigerians. These families, already struggling to survive, sought food for Christmas but ended up losing loved ones. Instead of joy, this Christmas brought grief and hardship.
In Lagos, Binta, a widow with three children, helplessly watched her 10-year-old son get trampled. She clutched her youngest child tightly, overwhelmed by the cries of other mothers and children caught in the chaos. Another heart-wrenching story came from a woman named Ireti, who lost her newborn during a stampede at a food distribution site. Ireti, who had been standing in line for hours, recounted how the surging crowd caused her to fall, and in the panic, she was separated from her baby.
The tragedy left Ireti inconsolable as she held onto her empty shawl, crying for the child she could no longer protect. In Ibadan, Adeola, a father of five, lost his 9-year-old son, who had enthusiastically joined him to carry food supplies. Adeola now faces the agonizing task of explaining to his younger children why their brother won’t return. Another Ibadan family, led by Mariam, a single mother, lost their 11-year-old daughter in the crush. Mariam’s cries as she held her lifeless daughter captured the deep sorrow felt by many families.
The sorrow didn’t end there. In Ibadan, Amaka, a mother, recounted arriving at a food distribution site with her three children. As the crowd surged forward, she lost grip of her youngest, a six-year-old boy, later found lifeless under a pile of bodies. Amaka’s cries of anguish left others distraught. In Lagos, Samuel, a worker who took the day off to secure food for his family, witnessed an elderly woman collapse, trampled by the crowd. Samuel described the scene as “a harvest of human bodies,” with lifeless victims piled in corners.
Despite these heart-wrenching events, the president’s media chat centered on praising his economic reforms, such as removing fuel subsidies and harmonizing foreign exchange rates. This drew sharp criticism, as it came so soon after the tragic loss of lives during charity stampedes. The timing amplified the public outcry, with citizens still mourning the devastating events and feeling abandoned. Many questioned why a national address focused on acknowledging the tragedies and providing comfort was not prioritized. Such a gesture would have demonstrated empathy, unity, and solidarity at a time when the nation was grieving deeply.
Leadership during such times requires humility and an active effort to engage with the public’s grief and anger. While the reforms may benefit the economy in the long run, they have worsened life for ordinary Nigerians in the short term. Many families cannot afford basic necessities like food and transportation, and instead of joy, the festive season brought despair to countless households. The absence of immediate support only deepened the sense of neglect, leaving many questioning the priorities of those in power.
Leaders are often seen as “Comforters-in-Chief” during crises. They are expected to console their people, show care, and provide hope. Effective leadership demands addressing such controversies head-on while prioritizing actions that align with the people’s struggles. However, the media chat came across as an attempt to justify decisions without addressing the pain they caused. Its timing—so soon after the tragedies—made the disconnect more pronounced.
– Adebamiwa writes from Pleasanton California. Has M.A in political science a Ph.D student
Good timing is essential in leadership. The president could have postponed the media chat, visited grieving families, and shared a message of unity and hope. Such gestures would have shown empathy for the people’s suffering before discussing his administration’s achievements. During tragedies, leaders must prioritize people over policies. By addressing the immediate needs of grieving families first, the president could have demonstrated compassion and earned greater trust.
What Nigerians needed was not a defense of reforms but the acknowledgment of their struggles and a clear plan to assist them. Many families are still reeling from these tragedies, longing for leadership that prioritizes their immediate needs. A message of hope, paired with concrete actions such as relief for affected families, improved safety at charity events, and direct support for the poorest Nigerians, could have rebuilt trust in the government’s commitment to its citizens.
Leaders who succeed during crises are remembered not just for their policies but for their kindness. After the 9/11 attacks, U.S. President George W. Bush stood at Ground Zero with first responders, uniting the nation during a time of fear and grief. Similarly, during the Ebola outbreak, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf mobilized resources and communicated openly with citizens, as recounted in her memoir “This Child Will Be Great.” Her leadership earned her widespread praise.
Another example is Winston Churchill during World War II, whose speeches inspired resilience among the British people during their darkest hours. Historian Andrew Roberts, in his biography “Churchill: Walking with Destiny,” details how Churchill’s rhetoric united a nation under siege. During the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono coordinated international aid and visited affected areas, as noted in the UN’s “Humanitarian Response Review.” His empathetic yet strategic crisis management stood out.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern balanced strong policies with empathy. Suze Wilson, in “Leadership in the COVID-19 Pandemic,” highlights how Ardern’s direct communication and targeted relief measures strengthened public trust. These leaders exemplify how compassion and decisive action can build trust and strengthen a nation.
As Nigeria moves forward, the government must rethink its approach to public communication during crises. Leaders must show care, humility, and sensitivity in their messaging. There is still time to rebuild trust. Acknowledging the pain of grieving families and presenting actionable plans to prevent future tragedies could help close the gap created by this misstep.
Leadership isn’t just about making tough decisions; it’s about understanding how those decisions affect people. The president’s media chat may have aimed to reassure the nation about his administration’s vision, but its timing and tone failed. Nigerians deserve a leader who not only implements reforms but also shows care and understanding during their hardest times.