What to do to Succeed in Business, Public Service—Elumelu

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu, has revealed what public sector leaders, likewise their counterparts in the private sector, must do to succeed in business or public service.

Speaking while delivering a lecture titled ‘Leadership: the private sector perspective’ on Tuesday at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna, Mr Elumelu noted that leaders must lead well, adding that leaders who succeed are those who think legacy.

He stressed that there is no difference between private and public sector leadership, rather, the focus of leaders should be on mapping out a vision and mobilising people to fulfil the vision.

The former UBA Plc boss further reiterated the responsibility of leaders to galvanise change and development, charging those present to think of leaving a lasting legacy behind for generations to come “to prove to the world that this is not a wasted generation.”

Mr Elumelu’s speech affirms his stance of the private sector taking a more proactive role in the development of Africa, embodied in his philosophy called Africapitalism.

He encouraged the students to become leaders of purpose as leadership is not by accident, rather, leaders are made.

“People do not buy into a vision they do not understand; they buy into a vision and mission that resonate with them,” he said.

Mr Elumelu applauded the Nigerian military for their zeal and commitment towards ensuring the protection of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the fight against insurgency in some parts of the country.

While acknowledging the pivotal being played by the military, Mr Elumelu said that the military institution has contributed immensely to the unity and peace in the nation.

According to him, the development of any nation is assured by the quality of its armed forces among other public institutions.

“The Nigerian Military gives us hope in this country. The facilities I see here are comparable to any I have seen in Europe and the US,” he said.

Responding to the speech, Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Air Vice Marshal Suleiman Abubakar Dambo, appreciated Mr Elumelu’s perspective on leadership.

“We are delighted to have in our presence an embodiment of knowledge, visionary leadership, and above all, an encyclopaedia of leadership,” he said.

“I agree that leaders are made not born. Otherwise, how do you explain an individual having a conglomerate, multi-national corporations in 20 African countries and doing very well in those countries, in so many sectors ranging from the financial sector, oil and gas, real estate, and so on?” he asked.

The Commandant concluded by appreciating Mr Elumelu’s generosity in sharing his leadership knowledge with the students of the college.