By Chijioke Kingsley
ABUJA – The Institute of Leadership Manpower and Management Development (ILMMD) at the weekend in Abuja honoured a total of 66 distinguished Nigerians with fellowships of the institute. While 46 became Diamond Fellows, 20 persons were conferred with Doctoral Fellowships.
The investiture qualified the awardees as patrons of the institute, the Director of Manship Services who officiated the ceremony, Dr. Theophilus Cornerstone Okonofua, said.
Delivering his lecture, Okonofua explained that leadership is trustworthy, charismatic and visionary, adding that leaders must be obsessed with goals.
“They must challenge assumptions, behave as a role model, walk the talk, and empower their people”, he said.
While educating the awardees on the vital ingredients of a leader, Okonofua asked the following questions “what do we know about the reality of leadership today? What must leaders believe or know in order to influence others and create change?”
He brought another dimension to crisis, explaining it as a positive change in leadership qualities.
According to him: “A particular frame of mind accompanied by a key set of behaviour is the key to leading under pressure. Developing a mindset for reflecting, adapting and learning from the crisis situation and its aftermath is at the core of crisis leadership.
“Leaders tend to focus on the negative aspects of crisis, however, it is important to remember that crises are opportunities for organizational change and revitalization. A crisis can bring to attention issues that have been neglected as well as present possibilities for innovation improvements.”
Sundiata Post reports that the doctoral fellowship is the highest professional and national recognition in ILMMD bestowed on personalities, members and non-members, whose noticeable contributions to society in view of development deserve recognition.
