Five favourite books: The Ministers’ Collection

I began reading Grace in order to write an endorsement. I kept reading it because I realised it was written for me. If you need to be reminded of what grace is and who it’s for, then this book was probably written for you too The Ministers have now been confirmed and I am pleased […]

I began reading Grace in order to write an endorsement. I kept reading it because I realised it was written for me. If you need to be reminded of what grace is and who it’s for, then this book was probably written for you too

The Ministers have now been confirmed and I am pleased for all of them but now the real battle begins. The battle of work, the battle of change, the battle of instilling a better work ethic in our society, the battle of putting Nigeria on the map and the battle of mentoring. The support that President Buhari’s ministerial team give him is what will make or mar him. We wish all the ministers well in their assignments and pray for success during their tenure. Nigeria needs to shine again, be seen as a nation with greatness thrust on us, with leadership on our shoulders propelled by some of the most brilliant people on earth.
Here are five books to support the ministers as they make their way into top level governance and service to their nation.
1) Speaking as a Leader. How to lead every time you speak by Judith Humphrey
This is an excellent book for every minister. This is expected to assist you as you make your way through media blitz, Press conferences and events where you need to enunciate your ministry’s policies and position. It is imperative that you are clear and well spoken as you tell us what government is doing to make our lives better. Public speaking is an important part of leadership and if everything is lost in muffled speeches, poor punchlines and unintentional muddles then the message is lost. Speaking as a leader is a must read for all in the ministers’ collection.
2) We survived Genocide in Rwanda. 28 personal testimonies takes us through the tragic circumstances that led to the Rwandan Genocide and gives us personal testimonials of those who suffered it. It seems like a macabre book to be recommending to our ministers but the genocide in Rwanda was perfectly guided by advisers and team members in a government. This book produced by the Kigali memorial centre reminds us all that the ministers specially chosen by the President must give honest advice to run the diverse state of Nigeria.
3) The Mentor Leader, secrets of building people and teams that win consistently by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker. This is a very special book about how to manage teams when you lead and how to manage subordinates. This book also using quotes from the Bible teaches us how to be selfless in leadership providing profound and unparalleled lessons in mentor leadership.
Both authors have done incredible work in leadership.
Tony Dungy is the number 1 New York Times bestselling author of Quiet Strength and Uncommon. He led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2007, the first such win for an African American head coach.
Nathan Whitaker is the coauthor of Quiet Strength and Uncommon and a Harvard Law School graduate whose firm currently represents NFL and college coaches and administrators.
This book is highly recommended for our ministers.
4) Ethics 101, What every Leader needs to know by John .C. Maxwell. This little book is described by Dr. Stephen Covey author of the 7 habits of highly effective people as “a persuasive, inspiring and greatly needed message”. In true Maxwell style, he shows us how the golden rule works everywhere and how especially in business it brings amazing dividends. This book is so crucial to the ministers especially in Nigeria of today where work ethics is so poor you want to clobber everyone to get on with the job. Each minister needs the strength of Samson to turn the Nigerian work environment around. Everyone from cleaner to top directorate staff to heads of operation need tweaking, if we are to succeed in policies and transformation. The ministers will be expected to lead by example, turn persons around and provide a work ethics template that will make Nigeria work again. I found this little book given to my daughter in her school so inspiring with lots of stories from history, business, government and sports that i needed to share.
5) One of my favourite authors is Max Lucado. He writes so effortlessly and gives great insights to everything he discusses. The book recommended today from his collection of awe-inspiring books is one that carries a strong message of faith, Grace. You cannot become a minister without the Grace of God and i believe as I am sure some of the ministers designate already know that without the Grace of God, you can go nowhere. It is that grace that stood for those who battled hard to be screened. Humility is part of leadership and the rider on the cover of this excellent book says Grace, more than we deserve, greater than we imagine. Let our ministers remember that there are over 150 million Nigerians and several of them eminently qualified but God’s Grace auto located the ministers designate. It is often not by might or power. It also underscores the comment that when God picks you, man can only expend his energy talking. I love even the back cover of this book where it says “Max Lucado asks deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened  by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace?
God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white- water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Lets make certain grace gets you”.
Go on, get a copy,  the content is unbelievably good, profoundly astounding and absolutely mesmerising.
“This book is one of Max’s best. These pages remind us that God makes confetti out of our big plans for self-improvement and uses it to celebrate his better plans for grace in our lives. It’s a reminder that grace isn’t just a means to an end; it’s the end. It will be enormous grace, not our big plans, that will change the world.”- Bob Goff, Founder, Restore International; and author, Love Does
“I began reading Grace in order to write an endorsement. I kept reading it because I realised it was written for me. If you need to be reminded of what grace is and who it’s for, then this book was probably written for you too.”- Dave Stone, Author and Pastor, Southeast Christian Church.
“I will never grow tired of reading books in which Max Lucado unpacks the mystery and beauty of grace. From start to finish, this is a celebration of a gift that is bigger than we can ever imagine yet available to us everyday.”- Jon Acuff, Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Quitter and Stuff Christians Like
“I keep waiting for Max Lucado to write a less-than outstanding book. It hasn’t happened yet. This may be his best!”- Steve Stroope, Lead Pastor, Lake Pointe Church; and Author, Tribal Church

BONUS BOOKS
a) Edmin De Waal: The white road, a pilgrimage of sort.
 b) The dictionary of political bullshit by Nick Web
 c) Wole Soyinka’s The Trial of Brother Jero
 d) The autobiography of any Nigerian who has done well, elder statesmen or women et al.
e) Any book of faith. It is truly time to go to your faith and be guided by the morals therein.