NIPR President Tasks Nigerian Leaders on National Cohesion
The President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku has urged public office holders to use their privileged positions to prioritise the unity and cohesion of the country as means of driving national development.
He gave this advice on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 in Abuja while delivering a paper titled, "Public Leadership has Consequences" at the leadership induction ceremony organised by Africa Centre for Public Leadership (ACPL).
While recognising the establishment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as one of the "boldest" initiatives put in place by former Nigerian leader, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) to unite the country, the NIPR boss advised those in positions of authority to stop pursuing ethnic and religious agenda which he believes can undermine the nation's cohesion.
"Leadership that works against social cohesion and national integration is anti-people and cannot be said to be a good leadership. Nigeria as a nation has had the challenge of social cohesion and integration, and we need to think deeper about it.
"I remember how Gen. Yakubu Gowon, after a very challenging period in the history of this country gave us the National Youth Service Corps to unite us, to bring us together and till today, this initiative is still being celebrated and used to bond the people", Dr. Neliaku stated.
Taking from John Maxwell's quote which says a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way, Dr. Neliaku expressed dissatisfaction that some persons occupying various leadership positions in the country lack these three essential elements which he believes is responsible for the country's stunted development.
According to him, the tendency is to mislead followers when the leader does not know the way, underlining that that is where the danger is.
"When a leader ceases to give hope to the citizens or to the organisation that he is leading, what normally follows is the opposite of hope and that is hopelessness. That is when you see people disenchanted, disarticulated and frustrated. That is the result of hopelessness", he stated.
Dr. Neliaku therefore urged leaders to look beyond their office titles and demonstrate commitment to offering effective service and honour public trust by working towards the common good of the people.
"Public leaders bear unique ethical responsibilities that reach beyond personal gain or organisational goals. They are stewards of community resources. They are advocates for people's needs, and most importantly, they carry the moral responsibility to lead with integrity", he stated.
Highlight of the event was conferment of Honorary Fellowship of Transformational Leadership on the NIPR President in recognition of his excellent service in the private and public sectors by the ACPL.
