A clarion call has gone to Nigerians to always show exemplary leadership skills in their services to humanity.
The Chairman, Planning and Implementation Committee of AfeBabalola University, Ado-Ekiti. Professor Israel Olatunji Orubuloye made the call in a lecture delivered in Ido-Ekiti at the send-forth ceremony for the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre,Dr. (Mrs.) Ololade Olusola Ojo.
Entitled, “Leadership and service”, the lecturer who is also a member of the Board of Trustees, Senate and Council of the Afe Babalola University identified intelligence, adjustment, extroversion, Conscientiousness, openness and self-efficacy as major characteristics of leadership. He added that a leader must monitor his environment where group activities take place, organise such activities, teach and coach his subordinates while motivating them and intervening in their welfare for the betterment of the society.
He told the gathering to always search for people with indispensable qualities of leadership. According to him, such personalities must be endowed with character which inspire confidence in both leadership and followership;charisma which draw people to his or herself, commitment which separate doers from dreamers and excellent communication skills which simply interpretes where, when and how to say what to say.
The Don who was a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti now Ekiti State University urged citizens to embrace competent leaders who not only say it but, plan it and get it done. He attributed success in services to courageous leaders with principle not perception; discerning leaders who relies on intuition and rationality and generous leaders with focus.
Prof. Orubuloye further highlighted the hallmarks of good leaders as those who are visionary, compassionate and relationship builders. Such credible personalities are always ready to learn more and are blessed with initiative and listening ears. They are self-disciplined, very passionate and endowed with positive attitudes and problem-solving-capabilities. Suchpersonality accepts responsibility for actions and feel secured whatever the odds.
They always exhibit servant-Leader qualities which put other ahead of personal desires and serving withoutexpecting anything in return.
While urging Nigerians to emulate good leaders, Prof. Orubuloye reminded us of those whose footprints can never be erased from the sands of time. He mentioned Awolowo, Julius Ceaser, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, all of blessed memories and Nelson Mandela and Aare Afe Babalola as veritable examples of good leaders with distinguished virtues and styles, worthy of emulation.
Described as an embodiment of humility and a shining role model to womanhood, the lecturer gave kudos to Dr. (Mrs) Ololade Ojo for the numerous infrastructural development that characterise her nine year sojourn in the hospital.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Acting Chief Medical Director, Dr. Lawrence Majekodunmi Ayodele had lauded Dr. (Mrs) Ojo for her impeccable harmonious working relationship style. As a mentor and role model, Dr Ayodele expressed appreciation to her on behalf of the entire staff for turning a crisis- ridding tiny-cottage clinic into a reference point and a bench mark for Federal Medical Centre in Nigeria. He therefore prayed for her good health and long life.
In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion who is also a former Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Ile-Ife Prof. Olayinka Akinola congratulated Dr.(Mrs)Ojo for successfully steering the ship of the Federal Medical Centre Ido without any blemish. He thanked God for sending her to the Centre to display positive leadership style laced with superb traits of wisdom, concern, care and tolerance.
He advised the Management and Staff to be more committed to duty and sustain the legacy left behind by the outgoing Chief Medical Director.
Responding, Dr. (Mrs) Ojo thanked the lecturer, Prof. Israel Olatunji Orubuloye for honouring FMC with a comprehensive and all-embracing lecture despite his tight schedule. She also extended her gratitude to all staffers for their team work, cooperation and show of love. She urged them to keep the flag flying and strive for greater laurels.