Mentoring critical to leadership devt – Aboderin, Utomi

Chairman, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Wale Aboderin and Prof. Pat Utomi
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Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, on Sunday, called for leadership development and mentoring of Nigerian youths.

The Presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Mega Party, spoke at the presentation of Footprints: Leadership Beyond Today, a book written by leadership development consultant, Linus Okorie.

Endorsing the book, Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Wale Aboderin, said it would give the reader a better understanding of himself.

Utomi said, lack of mentorship and human capital development led to obsession and focus on selfish acts, which in turn, prevented Nigeria from proper development.

He said, “Leadership stands on a tripod of knowledge which is the ability to lead others and which brings about authority and power. The others are a sense of service towards others and courage of conviction to stay on the part even when others are doing it differently.

“Leadership is other-centred not self-centred. But this is the problem of this country; people focus on themselves and if we don’t have that sense of human solidarity, we may not have the ability to raise the next generation of leaders.”

“The greatest investment is in human beings. People think giving money is the right way, no. Teaching them to fish is,” he said.

President, La Campaigne Tropicana, Dr. Wale Akinboboye, also said Nigeria must look critically at human capital and leadership development, as well as mentoring in order to move forward.

“Nigerians are busy networking and not working. That is why things are not working even with our very fertile land. I believe strongly that we must begin to look at Nigeria and how we can move forward by focusing on human capital development,” he said.

Former Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Sir Nathaniel Okoro, said, “There are few leaders and more managers in Nigeria, and that is why the emphasis is on money, not mentoring and leadership development.”

The author of book, Okorie said he was inspired to write the book and raise leaders for Nigeria, by reading the story of the biblical Nehemiah and how he fought for his country’s growth.