Stakeholders have called upon graduates of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s (NDA) Master of Philosophy in Leadership and Strategic Studies (MPhil LSS) Course 5 to take proactive steps in addressing Nigeria’s pressing leadership challenges.
The call to action emphasised the importance of the graduates offering valuable advice and fellowship to both current and aspiring leaders in an effort to improve governance within the public sphere.
In his address in Abuja at the launching of the book titled; ‘Leadership and Strategic Thinking: Lessons from the past, current Approaches and future insights’, written by Master of Philosophy in Leadership and Strategic Studies Course 5, the keynote speaker, Major General A. Oyebade (Rtd), reminded the graduates that leadership was about making a lasting difference in the society.
Oyebade noted that leadership involves strategic thinking and should not be merely an academic exercise, but rather strategic action for sustainable development of the society or an entity.
He commended the graduates for compiling their work into a book, thereby making their studies available for others, especially leaders, to learn from.
Similarly, the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Mohammed Magayaki, said the graduates have demonstrated hard work, commitment, and dedication, urging them to let their studies bear fruit for the overall wellbeing of society.
He said the unveiling of the book, which reflects their activities on campus, showed that the students allowed the school to truly shape them, not just passed through it casually.
Magayaki told the graduates that just as they allowed the academics to shape them, they should now use their experiences to contribute to the society.
He stressed that leadership was a serious challenge in producing high-quality leaders with the capacity to deliver and who have foresight.
According to him, a good leader must also have a feedback mechanism, the ability to reflect, and make adjustments where things were going wrong.
For his part, the chairman of Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Buba Umar noted that the graduates have through their book captured many problems facing Nigeria and proffered solutions.
The Bauchi South Senator who was represented by Hon Hassan Abdullahi expressed hope that the book would be shared with many libraries to provide access to future leaders.
A lecturer with the Department of History and War Studies, Dr. Maryam Hamza said the MPhil programme bridges the gap between theory and practice, “as the students today are not the same as when they started; they have undergone a real transformation.
“We have identified that Nigeria’s greatest challenge is leadership, and the students have taken lessons from this program and applied them in their work.
“Nigeria has a huge leadership challenge. The problem isn’t the absence of leaders, but rather how to lead effectively. And it’s not just about leaders; followers also have a responsibility.”
Hamza stressed that the programme emphasises that leadership and followership go hand in hand. “There can be no leaders without followers, and no followers without leaders.”
