Building Leaders - Role of Integrity, Courage and Determination

Local government is a gamble that can have disastrous consequences when it fails (Joy Reid) I recently wrote an article about a nation’s development being underpinned by healthy and well-educated people. In Nigeria, our local government areas are the closest government to people, especially at the grassroots, and they are responsible for delivering essential services to meet the needs of communities. Local governments have constitutional responsibility in primary education and primary health care, as stipulated in the concurrent legislative list of the 1999 constitution. All around the world, education and health are the cornerstone of a nation's system and are the foundation for a country’s development. In Nigeria, the administration and funding of education and health involve the three tiers of government (local, state, and federal), with the local governments expected to play a critical role at the primary level and provide the foundation upon which secondary and tertiary e...

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane” - Martin Luther King Jr In 1994, the tranquility of our family life in Nigeria was shattered when my educationist father fell gravely ill. With each passing day, his condition worsened, yet despite our desperate pleas and numerous visits to local university teaching and private hospitals, the root cause of his ailment remained elusive. It wasn't until seven years later, at the onset of my international assignment, that our family was able to embark on a journey of hope, seeking medical intervention in the United Kingdom. It was at the Aberdeen Royal Albert Infirmary, within a mere 24 hours of our arrival, that the medical team delivered a revelation that would alter the course of our lives: my father's kidneys were failing. The shock of this diagnosis was eclipsed only by the realization that had the healthcare system in Nigeria possessed the same diagnostic capabilities and efficiency, his ...

  “A leader shows the way” — John Maxwell In 2012, after one year of serving as the MD/CEO of NLNG, we had grown annual revenue to above $11 billion from the initial historical average of $6 billion per year. We achieved this remarkable feat by producing 10% higher volumes than in previous years. Additionally, we secured new higher-price markets in Asia and greatly benefited from higher energy prices in the market. Success is not on the basis of luck as to be a great leader you must have the right mindset. I was aware that it is important for leaders to have a set of priorities, a few, I must say. Leaders can fall into the trap of having too many things to focus on. When I assumed the role, I had three priorities: 1. Sustain historic performance, as the company had a track record of success. 2. Take the company to the next level. 3. Make the company an inspiration for the country. Truth is, in the fast-paced world of leadership, the ability to prioritize is not just a skill; it is...

Dear Friends, As I reflect on my time working as a teacher at a college in Ilorin, helping young Nigerians prepare for their future, and also on my time in the storeroom at SPDC, Warri, which housed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of items needing proper management, I am reminded that a single day may not suffice to adequately celebrate those who diligently contribute to workplace success daily. I know that it is mainly through integrity, determination, hard work, teamwork, and excellence that most individuals ascend the career ladder, embodying the enduring dignity of labor and legitimate work practices. Such individuals deserve recognition, and reward, and serve as exemplars of commendable professional conduct. Nigerians, both at home and abroad, in public and private sectors, stand among the world's most hardworking, innovative, talented, and persevering workers. From the ever-growing and busy trading markets of Onitsha, flowing with economic richness, to the agricultural ...

28 October 2023 Good morning, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen. It is an honor to be here with you today at the Business of Education Summit.  I will be speaking on the topic: Tech Education in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. When I told my little niece that I was going to be giving a speech about technology, she asked if it would be live-streamed on TikTok so that she could watch it and give me feedback on my dance moves. Clearly, we still have a lot of work to do in tech education.  Before I go into the topic, permit me to tell you a story about a special young girl called Mary who grew up in the village of Thailmakalama, in Chibok Local Government of Borno State. Mary’s parents were farmers, so naturally, she accompanied them to the farm daily to cultivate and harvest crops. But Mary had big dreams of becoming a pilot so that she would be able to take care of her family and give back to her community. Unfortunately, there were no science and te...

Speech at the assumption of CIPS President in November 2014   Ladies and Gentlemen,  Thank you for welcoming me today on this auspicious occasion of my assumption as the Global CIPS President headquartered here in the UK. It is a pleasure to be here. My name is Babs Omotowa and I am speaking in my capacity as President of CIPS – the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. I took over as President on 1st November. However, my involvement goes back to 1994 when I began studying for CIPS qualifications while with Shell in Nigeria. By 1996 I was a qualified member and went on to serve as an examiner for two years from 2002.  In 2006 I was honored to be made a fellow. So, as you see, I am strongly grounded in CIPS as well as in procurement. Some of you may also know me from my current job as MD and CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited, which currently supplies 8% of the global liquid natural gas market. Today I’ll be talking about my vision and ambitions for the procu...