”The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humour, but without folly,” noted the renowned personal development expert Jim Rohn. Maya Angelou added, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” “Gone from our sights but never from our hearts,” was the unspoken yet profound message etched on every face that congregated on Saturday, 16th May, 2026, in Uyo to bid a final, tearful farewell to Engr. Grace Allison – a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, a Professional Fellow of the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Institute, and a proud native of Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. Let’s reflect on the transformative possibilities of governance and institutional management if our steering authorities possessed the exceptional attributes of this departed icon.
Do you know that Engr. Grace Allison, as a premier safety professional and Offshore Installation Manager in the highly demanding oil and gas sector, personified a leadership style so profound that her very name became her ultimate character definition? The organic crowd, the pouring testimonies, the heartfelt tributes, and the uncontrolled tears witnessed during her final valedictory all point to one undeniable reality: this singular woman lived deeply in the hearts and homes of many, proving that though she is dead, she undeniably lives on. She possessed the incredibly rare gift of tolerating no nonsense whilst simultaneously carrying everyone along, setting uncompromisingly high standards but pausing to celebrate small wins, and remaining fiercely committed to operational excellence while genuinely believing that every single team member had something valuable to offer. When occasion demanded, she could roar with the authority of an angry lion to defend what she believed in, yet she cared for her team with the tender devotion of a mother hen over her flock. She was deeply assertive yet remarkably soft at heart, completely devoid of timidity while exemplifying an uncommon humility that completely broke down professional barriers. Her core religion anchored entirely on humanity, touching lives in ways that proved leadership is a vehicle for service rather than self-glory, and she executed her duties with unusual commitment while remaining jovial enough to eliminate undesired workplace tension. She was so sacrificial that she would gladly give her last resources to ease the burdens of others, maintaining an uncommon sense of duty and actively taking deliberate steps to ensure the holistic well-being of her subordinates.
So, as part of learning from her legacy, enhance your capacity to lead by consciously internalising the sterling blueprints left behind by Grace Allison, striving to banish the divisive sentiments of tribalism, religion, gender, selfishness, and parochialism from your spheres of influence. We must actively retrain ourselves to reject the destructive culture of primitive wealth accumulation and favouritism, adopting instead her fierce hatred for maltreatment and her absolute devotion to making every individual feel an authentic sense of belonging. Let us refine our communication so that our tones melt hearts and present us as genuine instruments of peace, creating an atmosphere that is not only highly inviting but completely approachable to those we lead. Imagine the monumental progress Nigeria would record if our political, corporate, and community leaders were as selfless, committed, sincere, caring, sacrificial, intelligent, simple, and gracious as this absolute gem of a woman. May every leader explore practical ways of studying her life, and may her extensive professional and personal network live with the daily consciousness of her virtues, exploring active ways to replicate them in our families, industries, and governance structures. By deliberately choosing to practice her principles, we can dismantle the toxic systems of self-aggrandisement and construct a society where leadership is judged solely by its positive impact, true sincerity, and unyielding dedication to human progress.
As you step out each day, though the physical presence of Engr. Grace Allison is gone and the society, the church, and the oil and gas industry have lost a true colossus, let us make her timeless virtues our guiding light. May God make a way for us to one day realize a nation where leaders are true, impactful, and selfless patriots who lead with the same majestic grace that she so effortlessly commanded. Farewell, Sweetest Mum, for your magnificent memory will remain a permanent blessing within our hearts, and your exemplary legacy will continue to inspire generations to come!
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Esang Esitikot, a chemical engineer, is a professor of occupational health and safety. He is a public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, and a pro bono lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
