During Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Lecture, Kukah Cautions Nigerians: Holding Public Office Doesn't Equate to True Leadership

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, challenged Nigerians to reassess their perception of leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is not synonymous with holding public office.

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Kukah delivered this message during the maiden edition of the Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede Memorial Lecture, which marked the fifth anniversary of her passing, and also stressed that leadership should not be confused with political power or position.

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The lecture featured an array of dignitaries, including Fola Adeola, co-founder of GTBank, Sam Amuka-Pemu, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, and Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of THISDAY Newspapers, among others.

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According to Kukah, many of Nigeria's problems stem from equating leadership with power rather than influence and service, and he emphasized that leadership is about responsibility and promoting the common good.

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Kukah warned against a culture where public office is used for personal gain rather than serving society, and he stressed that strong institutions and national development are built on moral foundations, values, and character.

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The bishop lamented the erosion of ethical values in public life and called for a return to integrity, accountability, and compassion, drawing examples from history, religion, and global politics.

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Kukah noted that Pastor Emily's life exemplified servant leadership rooted in faith, humility, and concern for others, and he said that leadership is about vision, values, and character.

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The bishop emphasized that character is what one does when nobody is watching, and he judged leadership by whom it served and the extent to which it promoted the common good.

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A panel discussion moderated by Fola Adeola explored the four themes that shaped Pastor Emily's life: service to God, family, nation, and leadership, and Adeola said that these themes are not separate worlds but one house held together by service.

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Adeola stated that leadership is not a privilege but the responsibility and joy of serving others, and the panel brought together accomplished women leaders, including Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack.

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Walson-Jack shared a personal story about choosing public service over personal convenience when she left her husband and young children behind to take up an assignment in Bayelsa State, and she said that this decision taught her that leadership means service.

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Walson-Jack highlighted hard work, integrity, diligence, and empathy as the pillars of her leadership philosophy, and she reflected on the values that have guided her career.

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Leading corporate lawyer, Mrs Zelda Akindele, spoke candidly about the challenges of balancing family life with professional leadership, and she noted that true balance is a daily struggle rather than a permanent achievement.

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Akindele emphasized the importance of authenticity and remaining true to one's values, despite the pressures of modern leadership and the intense public scrutiny of social media.

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The speakers repeatedly emphasized that family is the first training ground for leadership and that national transformation cannot occur without strong moral foundations at the family level.

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Chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, paid an emotional tribute to his mother, describing her as a woman guided by purpose and responsibility, and he said that she believed every opportunity carried an obligation and every blessing imposed a duty to bless others.

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Aig-Imoukhuede recalled that his mother lived her life answering four important calls: to serve God, family, country, and humanity, and he said that she remained hopeful that Nigeria's best days were still ahead despite the challenges confronting the nation.

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Aig-Imoukhuede reflected on the values his mother passed on to her children, saying that the greatest inheritance was not material wealth but an enduring example of service, integrity, and purposeful living.

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Aig-Imoukhuede stated that his mother taught them that success without service is ultimately empty, influence without purpose is wasted, and the true measure of life is not what we accumulate but what we contribute.