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| Hon. Ndudi Elumelu |
By Chris Okobah
Ndudi Godwin Elumelu is not only a charismatic leader, he is a
compassionate person. The people of Aniocha Oshimili Federal Consultancy in
Delta State are not only happy and grateful to have him as their
Representatives, but thankful that such a quintessential person is representing
them at the Federal House of Representatives.
He has been fighting for the little guy, for children, for the
poor and disadvantaged, sometimes against establishments and elites. But as a
leader, he is greatly admired across the political spectrum. Even those who
disagree with his politics can draw inspiration from his life.
From knowing and observing him, I choose four leadership lessons
I hope executives will take to heart.
*Remember that performance is everything. No one is
entitled to a position.*
When Hon Ndudi Elumelu won his National Assembly (House of
Representatives) election in the last general election, critics said that he
inherited the position because of his family business and bought his way into
the National Assembly through favoritism.
Critics also dismissed him as a weak younger brother (to a
globally renowned and celebrated corporate mogul and philanthropist), who is a
merely celebrity congressman. How wrong they were.
Hon Ndudi Godwin Elumelu’s route to the Congress stopped
mattering once he began performing for his constituents and collaborating with
his colleagues.
Elumelu did not rely on dynasty as destiny. He rolled up his
sleeves and mastered the details, and he kept studying and learning as the
issues changed.
No one is entitled to a top political position, everyone
has to earn it through his or her deeds, and each is only as good as his or her
command of the issues.
“Elumelu has endeared himself to his people. Well that’s what
you have to do as a legislator,” Ndudi knows the job. His career rewards
followed from his service.
*Think values first, and suspend ego.*
Ndudi Godwin Elumelu believes in public service as an honorable
profession and in government as a vehicle for helping all citizens get their
chance for high quality of life. His accomplishments speak for themselves. This
is not about Elumelu or his ego. He is known for humility, graciousness, and
geniality in the Congress; he was not engaged in partisan contests to win for
the sake of winning.
The goals are so important that he is willing to work with
political opponents to reach agreement on measures that serve the people.
Negotiating by calling on higher principles made him effective with principled
members of the other party.
*Business leaders who operate from a sense of values and
purpose.*
Elumelu believes that the work as a Rep is more important than
title or position. Business leaders should heed that lesson, above all:
Performance, mission, and endurance are possible because the people we support
and care about also support us.
·
Chris Okobah, Ph.D, is a Real Estate Consultant based in Abuja,
Nigeria.
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