A new kind of leadership that builds bridges, keeps in touch with the people while offering a new way of thinking has been recommended for leaders in different areas of the Nigerian nation.
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, expressed this view on Tuesday while receiving the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, saying the new Ooni of Ife, represents a new generation of Nigeria through his outreach efforts, setting a new standard and leadership style.
“Some of what we have seen `Kabiyesi’ do, some of those steps he has taken, handshakes across prejudices, across traditional boundaries, a visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, and several other such important steps are not just symbolic.
“It is important to understand that they also have very deep implications for future relationships and for the way that our generation is perceived and also implications in the way that our country eventually shapes up,” Prof. Osinbajo noted.
The Vice President said leaders have to be accountable to the people adding that “one of the very important attributes of the Kabiyesi is the fact that he represents a new way of thinking, which is not just a generational way of thinking. it is a whole new concept in the way we relate to power and authority.”
He stated that this new way of thinking and style which the new Ooni represents is not just about traditional leadership, “but it is something that relates to leadership at every level.”
He commended the new king for his “great insight and leadership attributes,” and prayed that Almighty God will enable him fulfill the purpose of his enthronement.
Of the new Ooni, the Vice President said “I think that he is one of those who have thought it fit to begin to express himself in a completely different way from what we had seen in the past. I think that one of the key things that we have learnt from leadership and one of the key leadership skills that he has taught, that his approach has taught us, is that you have to make contacts even with people and with authorities who in the past may have been considered adverse or adversaries one way or the other.’’
Prof Osinbajo also praised the Ooni for his connection with young people, and observed that these were indications that a new generation had taken over.
According to the Vice President, by addressing the concerns of the young people who constitute a very substantial portion of the nation’s population, the Ooni had demonstrated the understanding that it was not just about demographics but about the future of the country.
In his remarks, Oba Ogunwusi who described the Vice President as “amiable,” noted that he had been “warmly received by Mr President and Mr Vice President to talk progressively about what we can do from the traditional aspect because we monarchs are much closer to the people.”
He added that he had also discussed about community relations, community development and “how we can properly bridge the gap.”
He appealed to Nigerians “to be patient with our leaders. They have very good plan for us, very positive plans. If we can be patient, we will all benefit from their lofty programmes’’
Earlier the Vice President received a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, NALT, led by its president, Dr. Abdulkarim Kana.
Prof. Osinbajo, himself a law teacher, expressed delight at the courtesy visit, and wondered what his life trajectory would have been if he had not become a professor of law.
Recalling how difficult legal research had been in the past, he cited an instance when it took him six weeks to get an authority and other details of a particular case in the high court in the early 80s.
According to him, things had since become better now, with improved technology-aided tools that were available.
He encouraged the members of the delegation and the association made up of law professors, and lecturers drawn from about four generations of law teachers to welcome practicing lawyers as university teachers.
“We should be open to those kind of interaction, great universities of the world allow for such interactions,” according to the Vice President.
The leader of the delegation, Dr. Kana who told the VP, “I have brought your constituency to you,” described the Vice President as “one of our very best.”
He said the success of the Buhari administration was the success of Nigeria and pledged the support of the association.
Other notable university teachers that formed part of the delegation included Prof. Ademola Popoola, Prof. Chioma Kanu Agomo, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, Prof. Maxwell Gidado, SAN, and Prof. Festus Emiri, among others.
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