In a powerful address at the University of Port Harcourt’s 36th convocation, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike challenged young Nigerians to redefine leadership as a commitment to public welfare rather than personal enrichment. He emphasized that genuine leaders prioritize the collective good over individual ambition.
Wike described leadership as a sacred duty, not a platform for self-aggrandizement. He cautioned that corruption, misuse of authority, and selfish motives have eroded institutional integrity and hindered national progress. The minister called on graduates to embody courage, honesty, and responsibility.
According to Wike, the measure of true leadership is not personal gain but the positive change brought to people’s lives and the institutions strengthened under one’s stewardship. He left the audience with this defining question: ‘Ask not what your office can give you, but what the people gain from your service.’