Humanity’s greatest challenge is leadership formation, not politics or technology — Ozigbo

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NNEWI — Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Group and 2021 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, has said the greatest challenge facing humanity is not politics, economics or technology, but the quality of individuals being formed to lead society.

Ozigbo stated this while delivering a keynote address titled, “The Making of a Transformational Leader: Service Above Self, Creating Lasting Impact Through Leadership,” at the installation ceremony of the 25th Silver Jubilee President of Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, Hon. Dr. Smart Chinedu Ezuma, held at Soprom Hotel & Suites, Federal Housing Estate, Trans Nkisi, 3-3, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The former Transcorp Plc boss said societies ultimately reflect the quality of people they produce, stressing that the strength of a nation depends largely on the quality of its leadership and the values of those who emerge as leaders.

According to him, the world currently faces a crisis of character and formation despite remarkable advances in knowledge and technology.

“We are living in one of the most extraordinary periods in human history. Never before have human beings possessed so much information, yet wisdom appears increasingly scarce. We have more universities than ever before, yet fewer people we genuinely trust. We have more technology, yet less peace; more wealth, yet less commitment; more communication, yet less understanding; and more leaders, yet fewer elders,” he said.

Ozigbo argued that the fundamental question before every generation is not whether leaders can be produced, but the kind of leaders society is creating.

He explained that true leadership begins before political office, appointment or public recognition, noting that transformational leaders must first undergo personal transformation.

“Leadership begins long before position, but with formation. Before God entrusts a person with influence, He first shapes the person. People do not become transformational leaders merely because they receive titles. They become transformational leaders because they themselves have first been transformed,” he said.

The business leader identified three stages of leadership development: leadership of self, leadership of others and leadership for transformation.

He also spoke on the role of self-interest in human development, saying personal ambition is not inherently negative but must be guided by a broader sense of responsibility to society.

According to him, self-interest can either contribute to societal progress or become destructive when individuals focus only on personal comfort, family, business interests and ambitions while ignoring the common good.

He warned that citizens who detach themselves from societal challenges risk contributing to the decline of the communities they belong to.

“No one succeeds alone. No family prospers permanently inside a collapsing society. No business flourishes indefinitely in a broken nation, and no amount of private success can compensate for public failure,” he said.

Ezuma Unveils N28m Rotary Service Agenda

In his installation address, titled “Service Above Self: Creating Lasting Impact Through Leadership,” the newly installed Rotary Club President, Hon. Dr. Smart Chinedu Ezuma, expressed gratitude to Bishop Dr. E.C. Onuorah, whom he credited with instilling in him values of compassion, humility, integrity and selfless service.

Ezuma said his journey into Rotary reflected values he had embraced throughout his life, adding that the organisation provided a platform to apply those principles in service to humanity.

He announced a N28 million intervention programme for his tenure as president, focusing on maternal and child healthcare, membership expansion, education and literacy, community economic development, disease prevention, vocational service, peace-building, water and sanitation, environmental initiatives and youth development.

The installation ceremony attracted members of the Rotary community, dignitaries and other stakeholders who gathered to celebrate the new leadership of the club.

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