Navajo times., 1962-05-23
NAVAJO AND NICERIAN
Experience COunseIs Youth

Durlng the past week, your editor and associate
ed1orwere privileged to hear of great Tribal
leaders dwell on many aspects of philosophy The oc-
casiOn the interview between DR.. E e n Uzoukwu
Nzeribe, field coordinator of the Nigeria Unitarian
service Committee and graduate of Stanford Univer
sitN and our Vice hairma of the Council, Scott
Preston. We eft the citing with the feeling that
Washington could make excellent use of the calm logic
evidenced by Preston.
- Preston counseled the young Nigerian, "Your pri-
mary concern must always be service to your people,
Those who selected to lead must never DENY that
leadership They will be criticized and censured but
each must the things he feels right for the
people. He will ke mistakes, but he must not let
this cause him to fear the next decision He will make
good choices, and must not permit these to lead him
to believe he is always right.
There is much to be done. and alWavs there will
be just few who will shoulder that responsibility and
guide their people along the paths of progress and
development The h a nd which does this mu st be
skilled one, and patient one; it not push Rah
er, the leader st devote his wisdom and energies
10 encouragement and direction.
Provide them with the tools and sks they will
need but let them set their pace, and let each
Individual set his way Just as one must nurture
and guide child would release the hand of the
child and say Walk a1one--Walk tall and straight and
strong the leader must help his people grow for them
selves, seeking to provide with the strength to
sustain themselves and others This does not have
be the way of the white man. but each must have
his goa the Navajo Tribe does not seek to force the
man to improve ms elf, but rather to provide the
desire and the means for the individual to do So.
DR.. Nzer1be, who is member of Parliament, had
the office because of other commitments Scott Pres
ton told him, 'You have made m stake. When the
people choose you to lead them you must that
need You are young; your country needs strong lead
ers now who can become great leaders of the future
You have time to see your plans to fruition
no longer would the time to undertake the ventures
that you and should. 2"
Our Vice Chairman spoke quietly and sincerely of
mans faith "All things from the earth and
turn to the earth. The tn hings which grow the
earth make life possible, and heearh will provide in
abundance for those who work and believe Life strikes
a balance of the sweet and the sour man must know
and accept adversely to become strong, he must know
the sour to the sweet. ."
He spoke of many other things to the Nigerian Wis
1tor with tolerance. understanding and humor Of the
honesty and integrity hold to himself the
richness of life given to service of Others of ancient
cultures, of governments, of traditions and heri
tage and hope. Dr. Nzeribe. at the end of their dis
cusson saidhewould forgetwhathe he had learned
here my wisdom is the teaching of books yours is
the wisdom of practical experience His farewellwas
one of great respect perhaps little tinged with
The Editor must confess to leaving the meeting place
tho Of feeling