From TCNEWS
As countries worldwide commemorate the 2024 National Short Person Day, Comrade Victor Ndukwe, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council, emphasized that stature or height does not determine a person’s leadership abilities or potential, as greatness often comes in small packages.
This annual celebration towards the year’s end serves as a reminder to individuals of shorter stature that they are valued, appreciated, and should take pride in themselves, regardless of their height.
Comrade Ndukwe stated, “Short individuals often excel as entrepreneurs. While there is a perceived link between leadership and height, there is no correlation between height and leadership effectiveness. It is absurd to suggest that short people cannot lead effectively. Shorter individuals possess physical advantages, such as faster reaction times, greater acceleration in body movements, and stronger muscles relative to body weight.”
He further noted, “The essence of leadership lies in qualities such as vision, the ability to communicate ideas, intelligence, and more. Human beings, as created by God, should take pride in themselves and not allow anyone to demean them based on physical attributes. Height is no barrier.”
He highlighted influential figures like Senator T.A Orji, Senator Adams Oshomole, Napoleon Bonaparte, Dr. Alex Otti, Benjamin Disraeli, Comrade Joe Ajero, José de San Martín, Ho Chi Minh, and Mahatma Gandhi, including this correspondent, as examples of successful individuals of short stature.
“Short individuals are often intelligent, resourceful, and determined achievers. They should be afforded political leadership opportunities. In fact, they have been striving to attain power based on their attributes, experiences, and capabilities, not merely as a gift. Leadership opportunities should be based on merit, skills, and character, not physical attributes. Like anyone else, they deserve equal opportunities to participate in politics and leadership roles, and they have been doing so”, he buttressed further.
Records indicate that short people have always existed, but the definition of ‘short’ varies by time period and nationality. In the United States, the average height for women is 5 feet 5 inches, and for men, it is 5 feet 10 inches. In contrast, the average height for women in China is 5 feet 2 inches, and for men, it is 5 feet 6 inches. Thus, a man considered short in America might be tall in China, illustrating that perceptions of height are relative. Whether someone is deemed short or tall depends partly on their geographical origin. For example, in the Netherlands, a man who is 5’10” might be considered short, where the average height is 6 feet. Conversely, in places like Laos and Papua New Guinea, where the average male height is 5’2”, a person who is 5’10” would be considered very tall.