“Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow; the shadow is what we think of it, but the tree is the real thing,” Abraham Lincoln once observed. Socrates famously warned that “it is better to change an opinion than to persist in a wrong one.” These timeless insights remind us that while the evolution of thought is a hallmark of human growth, the foundation and intent behind that change determine its ultimate structural integrity. In the light of the recent Daniel Bwala’s disappointing interview with Al Jazeera, let’s reflect on the delicate balance between genuine transformation and the convenience of political opportunism when your yesterday confronts your today.
Do you know that what you claim to stand for today may make a ridicule of your tomorrow’s postulations if your convictions are anchored on the shifting sands of expediency rather than the bedrock of principle? While change is indeed the only constant thing in life, a massive chasm exists between sincere change driven by genuine awareness and shifts motivated by greed, political survival, or the allure of the corridors of power. The Nigerian political landscape is increasingly filled with figures whose present stances form a dark, jarring contrast to the values they were known for yesterday. From the ideological reversals seen in characters like Adams Oshiomole and Festus Keyamo to the vocal pivots of Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri, we witness a recurring theme where public trust is traded for proximity to influence. Daniel Bwala’s recent Al Jazeera interview with Mehdi Hasan served as a stark reality check; his past claims so thoroughly shamed his present positions that even his attempts at denial only deepened the sense of public disillusionment. When a person’s yesterday confronts his or her today with such inconsistency, it reveals a vacuum where character should reside, suggesting that those who stand for nothing will eventually fall for anything.
So, enhance your capacity to remain anchored on your core values. Ensure that today’s frustrations or the attractions of new opportunities do not lead you to betray your fundamental identity. Know that integrity is not the absence of change, but the presence of honesty when one’s direction shifts; taking contradictory positions at different times without a humble apology or a logical bridge of transition leaves a permanent stain on one’s image. In an era of digital permanence, your past words act as a mirror that you must be able to look into without flinching or resorting to convenient amnesia. True influence is not found in being the loudest voice for the highest bidder, but in being a consistent voice for a clear set of ideals that can withstand the scrutiny of both time and a rigorous interviewer. We must learn to navigate the pressures of our environment – whether they be the “attractions” of office or the “frustrations” of “political irrelevance” – without sacrificing the very principles that define our human capacity. By prioritizing the stand that values long-term character over short-term gain, you protect your legacy from the mockery of future contradictions and build a reputation as sturdy as the tree Lincoln described.
As you step out each day, remember that the words you speak and the stands you take are the bricks that build the house your future self must live in. Let your transitions be marked by a sincere heart and a clear conscience rather than the frantic requirements of political or financial expediency. May your today never have a reason to blush when it finally meets the unwavering, documented gaze of your yesterday.
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Esang Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a registered chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, World Safety Organization Ambassador, Environmental Ambassador, and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He is a manager in the oil and gas industry and was recognized by Highstone Global University, USA as the occupational health and safety personality of 2024. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
