Daniel Bwala: To Destroy is Easy, But Building Takes Creativity, Time, and Sincerity -By Tife Owolabi

In crisis communication, one fundamental truth stands out: it is far easier to destroy than to build. A single act—like an IED strike—can collapse a meticulously constructed edifice in seconds, reducing years of engineering and investment to rubble without any calculation or foresight. The same holds in geopolitical conflicts. Take the ongoing tensions involving America, Israel, and Iran, where decades of diplomatic efforts, economic ties, and regional stability can unravel in minutes through missile strikes, proxy attacks, or escalatory rhetoric, leaving lasting scars that demand immense effort to mend.

A stark illustration is the Gaza war (Israel-Hamas conflict), which erupted on October 7, 2023, with the final major ceasefire taking effect in early October 2025 (around October 3–10, per the US-brokered phased deal signed in Egypt, supported by a Trump administration peace plan and UN endorsement). As of March 2026, the ceasefire remains in place—though fragile with occasional violations—effectively ending large-scale hostilities after an intense phase of approximately 24 months (two full years from October 2023 to October 2025).

Rebuilding costs (excluding the profound human suffering, lives lost, and trauma) are estimated at around $70 billion by the latest joint assessments from the UN, World Bank, and EU (as of late 2025, up from ~$53 billion in February 2025 due to evolving damage evaluations). This covers clearing about 55 million tons of rubble, repairing or replacing devastated infrastructure—housing as the hardest-hit sector—water systems, health facilities, education, and commerce. An initial $20 billion is urgently needed in the first three years to kickstart recovery, with full restoration potentially spanning decades amid ongoing challenges like governance transitions and aid access.

The war produced vastly asymmetric casualties. On the Palestinian side, the Gaza Health Ministry reports approximately 72,000–72,100 killed (including over 600 since the ceasefire) and around 171,000–172,000 injured as of early March 2026; independent analyses (e.g., in The Lancet Global Health) indicate the violent death toll could exceed 75,000+ in the first 16 months, potentially reaching 77,000–109,000 when factoring indirect causes like disease, starvation, or bodies under rubble, with civilians—especially women and children—forming the overwhelming majority. On the Israeli side, roughly 1,200 died in the October 7 attack (mostly civilians), with total deaths around 2,000–2,039 (including military losses and hostages), plus thousands injured. These reflect direct conflict losses, underscoring the disproportionate devastation in Gaza.

These numbers pale against the true human cost—the irreplaceable loss of loved ones, shattered families, and generational trauma. Meanwhile, the natural “window” of pregnancy and childbirth, spanning roughly 22 to 42 weeks gestation (from early viability with intensive care at the low end to post-term risks at the high end), was severely disrupted in Gaza by malnutrition, stress, destroyed healthcare, and siege conditions, leading to plummeting birth rates (drops of 40–42% in key periods) and heightened risks for mothers and newborns.

Even in everyday creation, the asymmetry persists: writing this piece took the author hours of thought and effort, yet reading it takes less than three minutes—destruction (or consumption) is swift, while construction is laborious.

The adage “To destroy is easy but building takes creativity, time and genuineness” captures this profound imbalance: tearing down structures, trust, economies, or reputations happens swiftly and with little forethought, while restoration demands patient innovation, prolonged effort, and sincere intent. A single destructive act—like unchecked violence or aggressive policies—can undo years of progress. Rebuilding requires precise vision, sustained resources, and authentic commitment to prevent superficial repairs that crumble under pressure.

This principle is central to crisis communication, where spokespersons confront the rapid fallout of failures. In high-stakes interviews on international platforms, destruction of credibility occurs in moments through pointed questions exposing contradictions. Defending or rebuilding demands creative framing, time-bound explanations, and genuine acknowledgement—far harder than the initial demolition.

A vivid recent example is Daniel Bwala’s appearance on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head” with Mehdi Hasan in early March 2026, titled “Nigeria: ‘Renewed Hope’ or ‘Hopelessness’?”. As Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication (despite his past role as a staunch Tinubu critic), Bwala faced relentless scrutiny on security lapses, poverty, violence (including over 11,000 reported killings in 2025), Amnesty International critiques, and his own prior harsh statements against Tinubu—which he repeatedly denied or reframed as lacking “context.” Critics widely viewed the performance as strained or embarrassing, with viral clips amplifying the backlash. It highlights how defending a government amid crises—especially when prior opposition views clash with one’s current role—requires exceptional genuineness to avoid appearing evasive or insincere.

In crisis communication, such encounters underscore the need for transparency and preparation: narrative destruction spreads instantly via social media and clips, but rebuilding trust demands creative, evidence-based responses over time—not deflection. When genuineness falters through contradictions or denial, the path to authentic renewal grows steeper, prolonging the crisis.

Ultimately, the best approach is often prevention: avoid accepting a government role if you were once on the opposing side. Everything you ever stood for can be shredded and weaponised against you, turning past principles into ammunition in moments of scrutiny. True wisdom lies in recognising the asymmetry—steering clear of situations where destruction is effortless and building becomes an uphill, credibility-eroding battle. Leaders and communicators who grasp this invest in the tougher work of genuine construction, transforming potential breakdowns into lasting renewal.

Truth be told: ‘Destroying is easy, but building demands creativity, time, and sincerity.’ Even Mehdi Hasan would struggle to defend the indefensible if he swapped places with Mr Bwala amid such stark failures and mounting evidence.

Tife Owolabi is a crisis communication enthusiast, a development studies researcher and writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

#CrisisCommunication #Leadership #Geopolitics #Rebuilding #Gaza #Nigeria #AuthenticLeadership