By Awwal Umar Kontagora There is no greater drive for a leader than dedicating oneself to something meaningful that contributes to society...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
There is no greater drive for a leader than dedicating oneself to something meaningful that contributes to society and leaves a lasting legacy.
Former Governor of Nasarawa State and former Senator for the Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Dr. Umar Tanko Almakura, has called on Nigerian political leaders to embrace selfless service for the betterment of their fellow citizens, even if it means risking their lives or facing imprisonment for the welfare of the people.
He urged leaders across the country to consistently adhere to the rule of law in all aspects of their lives to ensure that leadership has a positive impact on the populace.
"Selfless leadership is a powerful tool for guiding others through transformational organizational change," Almakura said. "In my experience, leaders who adopt a selfless approach consistently outperform their counterparts. By prioritizing collaboration over individual achievement, they achieve greater success and drive meaningful change."
Almakura emphasized that leadership is not about being the star of the show but about empowering others to shine. He cited former President Goodluck Jonathan, who famously stated that his political ambition was not worth the life of any Nigerian, as an example of true leadership. "Leadership shouldn’t be just about you or your family alone," he added.
He also pointed out that political leaders should be willing to make compromises on certain constitutional changes for the greater good. "Many politicians have sacrificed a lot for their countries to emerge as great nations," Almakura noted. "Some gave their lives, and some even went to prison because they were selfless in their service to their country."
Almakura further highlighted the value of selfless leadership, aligning it with the concept of servant leadership. "It’s about putting others before yourself, serving them, and prioritizing their needs and well-being above your own. Rather than slowing you down, selfless leadership helps you run farther and faster. It gives you a better sense of everyone’s wants and needs, helps you identify problems, determine the best solutions, and create collective buy-in."
Reflecting on his own experience, Almakura shared that selfless leadership is more than just thinking about others’ needs and wants; it’s about actively choosing to put their interests above one's own. "It was a conscious decision to shift away from my self-interests and instead focus on the collective well-being of those around me," he said. "This approach has had incredible benefits on both my family and professional career. It has transformed my leadership style and allowed me to lead large teams through highly complex changes and goals."
Almakura also stressed the importance of self-discovery in leadership, noting that understanding one's own motivations, values, and goals forms the foundation for building strong, empathetic relationships with followers. "Rushing ahead with your own vision may seem faster initially, but it often leads to resistance and setbacks. By listening to others and incorporating their insights, you build a foundation of trust and collaboration that accelerates progress in the long run," he explained.
In conclusion, Almakura reiterated that selfless leadership is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage in today’s complex world. "By putting the needs of others first and embracing collaboration, you can inspire your teams to achieve extraordinary results. Let’s embrace selflessness, not as a sacrifice, but as a pathway to greatness for ourselves and those we lead. What the world needs now is more selfless leaders," he said.
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