A Leadership Reflection for a People at a Crossroads
By James Sunday, FCAI, MNIIA
In the ancient city of Na Iya, a mighty wall had stood for generations. It was not perfect, but it was strong, strong enough to shield the people from storms, wild beasts, and enemies who sought to destroy them. It was their shared protection, their common inheritance, and the silent guardian of their peace.
One morning, a small crack appeared on that great wall.
The city elders gathered the people and issued a solemn warning at Gargadi Square, saying:
“If this crack is not repaired, the wall will collapse. And when it collapses, it will fall on all of us—without asking who was right or wrong, what material was used to build it, or who laid the foundation.”
But instead of joining hands to repair the crack, the people responded in ways that revealed deep fractures within the city itself.
The Voice of Wisdom
Amid the noise, an older woman named Jamusu Kunne climbed onto a stone and pleaded:
“The crack, not your neighbour, not the leader you dislike, not the rival you compete with, is the real enemy. If the wall collapses, it will not choose sides. We will all be buried under the same rubble.”
But instead of listening, the people attacked and dismissed her warning.
THE ELDERS’ ADVICE WAS IGNORED
One night, the crack widened into a gap, the gap grew into a split, and the split erupted into a thunderous collapse.
The wall fell.
Wolves poured in.
Flames swept through the streets.
Markets collapsed.
Food disappeared.
Homes were destroyed.
Families scattered.
The city sank into darkness.
And in that moment, they discovered a painful truth:
- Those who cheered the crack suffered.
- Those who refused to help suffered.
Because when a wall collapses, it does not choose sides.
THE MESSAGE FOR OUR TIME
Nations, like walls, stand only when their people choose unity over division, cooperation over sabotage, wisdom over agitation, and courage over cynicism.
Today, more than ever, nations need collective responsibility, measured voices, and a shared commitment to repair what is cracking before weaknesses become collapses.
This is not the time for:
- celebration of failure
- ethnic insults
- religious hostility
- political sabotage
- destructive criticism
- unquestioning loyalty
- hateful agitation
This is the time for:
- wisdom
- maturity
- patriotism
- national healing
- collaborative leadership
- honest conversation
- shared responsibility
A wall protects everyone.
A crack endangers everyone.
Repairing it requires everyone.
May this parable remind us:
Nations fall when citizens choose division over duty. Nations rise when people unite to strengthen their shared protection.
Amb. James Sunday, FCAI, MNIIA
UN Eminent Peace Ambassador
Fellow, United States Institute for Peace Studies
CEO, Hallvive Media and Communications Limited, Abuja, Nigeria