10 Leadership attributes of the Man Hon (Dr) Francis Otta Agbo – The Moving Train

    By: Jacup Ochulayi

       A lot of great qualities come to mind when the name and personality of Hon Dr Francis Otta Agbo is mention, some are just okay with calling him the moving train, others will go further, but the vision and concept behind the name Moving train and the Liberation ideology that he stands for is so large and vast that it can barely be encapsulated in one single expression or write up, a name he earned from act of selflessness.

There are not a lot of young men in their early 40s who have surpassed the hurdle of excelling through a career and profession as task full and professionally demanding as the Media and journalism profession, Hon Francis Otta rose to become news editor at Leadership newspaper, one of Nigeria’s most widely read newspapers, haven also worked for other renowned print media organization including the Sun newspaper, for a man who came from what I call a ‘’non-golden spoon’’ background or upbringing, this is surely hard work, steadfastness and grace.

Dr Francis Otta was at some point Media strategist and currently the senior special assistant (SSA) Media relation to Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson, the countryman Governor of Bayelsa state, he is saddled with the task of media relations, information management and image building, a responsibility he is carrying out effectively, he has also done the same at the federal level under one of Nigeria’s Finest gem, a crusader and Nigerians’ former minister for information and culture (late) Prof Dora Akunyili of unforgettable blessed memory. This article will not be enough to truly eulogise the personality of Dr Francis Otta Agbo as it is really not the target, but it is to highlight some of the rare  leadership attributes he possess that makes him standout.

1. EXCELLENT CAREER TRACK RECORD
Dr Francis Otta have had an excellent career experience and record of deliverability in public service in a discipline as crucial as the media and journalism profession, he worked with Insider Magazine, TheNews Magazine, The Sun newspaper and Leadership newspaper where he rose to become news editor, he is currently SSA Media relation to Bayelsa state Governor Hon. Seriake Dickson. Formally and informally, Hon Francis Otta has worked with and for notable Nigeria leaders, political office holders and elitist figures.

2. DISCIPLINE
Going by my personal experience and observation I can go on to make the assertion that Dr Francis Otta Agbo is a highly disciplined person and sometimes a hardliner on matters he strongly believe to be true and morally right, and I think such is one quality that defines a good leader. Again, He is SSA Media relation to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state and was SSA Media and public affairs to former Minister for Information and culture (late) Prof Dora Akunyili, and it  is of no doubt that this two personalities are a true definition of discipline, selfless service to humanity and exemplified leadership.

3. LOYALTY TO A CAUSE OR BELIEVE
Hon Francis Otta showed true sense of loyalty and heed the advice of notable figures and leaders of his party the PDP prior to the 2015 election, to withhold his aspiration to run for the House of Representative seat for Ado, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo in 2015 and work with the incumbent to enjoy a second term, while he gear up for 2019, ordinarily, a typical Nigerian politician will disagree and defect to another party to pursue his aspiration.

4. A STRATEGIC FIGHTER
He is a strategic fighter and a dependable ally, he exemplified this qualities in the example discussed in point no 3,  and other instances in his personal, political and career life.

5. AN EMBEDDED GRASS ROOT ICON
Dr Francis Otta has a wide network of grass root connectivity and bond among the local people, women, youths and elders alike, as he continue to maintain contact with them. His continued selflessness and goodwill to the rural people has put him on a high  pedestal of leadership ranking, which sometimes explain the idea behind the name the moving train.

6. A COOL DEAL MAKER
It is a popular saying that in politics there is ‘’no permanent enemy and no permanent friend’’ as such political actors are expected to make mutually beneficial deals to ensure a healthier and less hostile political environment. Hon Francis Otta is that man who doesn’t come out of a situation hurt or totally a loser, neither dose he let the other party come out hurt, so in the end, there is something for everyone, and is a no victor no vanquish situation.

7. A GOOD INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION MANAGER
Hon Francis Otta worked with former minister for information and culture late Prof Dora Akunyili as senior special assistant on media and public affairs to give Nigeria an all time high positive image, ‘’Nigeria Good People Great Nation’’ was one of her signature reforms and has since become a slogan, her   record of running that office still make her stand out as one of Nigeria’s best information minister.

8. A PATIENT OBSERVER AND LISTENER
He is a good talker with a natural loud voice, you will also agree with me that Hon Francis Otta is a patient observer and listener, he also ask a lot of questions which is typical of a good journalist, and a highly sort out attribute of leadership, if you want to agree with me.

9. CORE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
Typical of a liberal is a person who believe in the individual right of people and the democratic notion of equity and fairness and the need to carry all and sundry along, which are some of the principles that define Dr Francis Otta and his moving train Ideology.

10. SELF-TRAINED FINANCIAL MANAGER
Hon Francis Otta Agbo has proven a high sense of capability in financial management, a lot of young men within his age bracket, who have tested wealth and juicy opportunities often fall from their high throne of jump-started self-exhortation, slaughtering it on the altar  of flamboyant and exorbitant lifestyle, and the rest remains beer parlour gist of how they spent money in the past, of the truth, they are a handful of young men from Idoma land in that category, but the person of Hon Francis otta, has been able to manage wealth and opportunity so well in an admirable manner and often time reach out to people in need within his knowledge and capacity.