President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, you have shown courage and your fellow citizens have demonstrated uncommon valor. The world salutes the unalloyed unity which Ukraine has demonstrated. Yet, the same world is expecting you to make one decision which no other human will make for you.
This is that moment. It is your moment. Europe is far. The United States is far. And NATO is inactive – for your case. So, this is on you.
I am from Ugwunta in Ovim Nigeria. We are the custodian of Anwurinwi (the war dance) which the Ovum* people use to go into battle. They won many battles. When the ikoro sounds, and Anwurinwi thunders, ordinary men would be transformed into fighters, doing unbelievable things.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
Yet, even in that bravery, the Ovum people knew when to activate Plan B. Open a new playbook and search for your Plan B. Rarely do people “win” when the theater of war is in their land. Ukraine must not be used to test the development of new bombs, missiles and weapons by the world!
Man, wisdom. You have shown bravery. But bravery is not the only virtue in leadership. That decision – only you can make it. It’s your moment because pains mean “nothing” to the world: check Biafra, check Rwanda, check Yemen, etc. In months, everyone normalizes evil and waits for the history books out of Ukraine. Do not help them.
Peace to the world.
*Ovum was the original name before the colonial masters came
Comment on LinkedIn Feed
Comment 1: Ndubuisi Ekekwe Prof. Should Ukraine give up their independence and sovereignty?
From my understanding and since inception of this Russo-Ukrainian war the Ukrainians are just trying to protect themselves, their territory and facilities not even fighting back.
My Response: “Prof. Should Ukraine give up their independence and sovereignty?” – that is not the only issue on the table. The other issue on the table is that Russia does not want to give up its independence/security because of decisions Ukraine makes. If you look at it, you will come to a conclusion: asymmetric advantages. From my lay understanding: a NEUTRAL Ukraine will have the independence it seeks. Someone needs to make that decision in Ukraine.
Comment 2: Chief Prof, what say you to Putin? Only one person started this war, one person. That person is not Zelensky.
My Response: I have written a lot to Putin in other posts. We will continue to write him. But in life, most things are not FAIR. Putin has advantages as the war is not in his land. That means, you focus on the person who is losing. Ukraine is losing irrespective of what CNN, Fox, BBC tell you. Of course, you have also written to Putin. We will keep writing.
A member on Comment 2: The war is not about Zelensky, its a war between Russia, America and NATO, its just that it is being fought in Ukraine and as the Umpire, Zelensky has to make the call and declare Ukraine a neutral ground. History will not hold him liable to that. His sovereignty will be intact and have a mother hen called Russia.
---
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.
Ok, if Zelensky surrenders now, what happens? None of you talking can tell us what exactly would come next. Everyone wants solution, but what’s the colour of this solution that can keep Ukraine independent and democratic, and will Putin agree to that?
We just have bunch of people talking all over the place, with nobody providing anything concrete. People have been yammering ‘negotiation’ here and there, what will be negotiated, whether Putin can pocket Ukraine or give it a new constitution? Who knows the mind of Putin and what exactly will satisfy him, without changing his mind in the future?
It smirks dishonesty and hypocrisy to advise a man to surrender, without telling him what would become of him and his household afterwards. Why are humans this corrupt and evil? There’s too much emptiness in people’s lives, nothing worthwhile to hold on to, yet they still want you to do their wishes.
Please, any of you who are not offering himself/herself as the lead negotiator between Putin and Zelensky should just stop talking, it’s tiring hearing people whinning about what’s not done right and yet refuse to offer practical solution on the way forward.
We need specifics, and you must guarantee that when implemented – peace will come!