So, as soon as I was old enough to eat on the dinning table with my parents, they laid a list of good table manners before me.
These 'rules' ranged from 'Grace' to positioning of napkins, who to taste the food first to how cutleries should be handled. Then the golden rule was to keep shut till meal time was over.
Of course, we didn't eat in silence but if we must talk, Dad or mom had to initiate it.
One day, In my usual nature of being very inquisitive I decided to go against the rule. I chatted my siblings up and that earned me a complete day off the table. I ate on the floor in the kitchen.
There and then, I learnt my first lesson about loyalty.
Loyalty is seen as a devotion and faithfulness to a nation, cause, philosophy, country, group, or person.
In politics, it is seen as total dedication to a cause, group, movement or a person without doubts. It is absolute belief in a system not minding if it fails...
Loyalty is one critical virtue all leaders must protect in their organizations and there must always be available mechanism to test the loyalty of people around them to avoid shocking betrayals.
The most dangerous political animal on earth is one who can easily shift his loyalty in times of crises. Without prejudice to such persons, the 'Pendulum test' of such politicians has shown that volatile swings one way, brings hope of a swing back...
As I conclude, I dare to distinguish between political loyalty and honesty. Whereas political loyalty is comforting, political honesty is much more refreshing.
Senator Riki Siman
SUG, UNIUYO.