Knowledge and Vision have being identified as major ingredients of leadership in the society. This was the thrust of leadership training for newly elected Students Union Executives of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) held at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ekiti State between Thursday 19th and Friday 20th July.
Ayorinde Ogunruku, a former Registrar at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and one time Director, Vice-Chancellor’s Office FUTA who addressed the Student Exco on the topic: The Role of Students Leaders In Promoting a World Class University said a 21st Century leader must have knowledge that is universal, current and knowledge of his or her setting and core assignment amongst others.
He said as a rule he who has the most information will have the greatest success in life, so becoming a great leader one must possess knowledge. Ogunruku said knowledge and vision go hand in hand to bring out the best in a leader.
Charging the students, he said the principle of vision is the key to understanding leadership because without commitment to vision, a person cannot be a leader but an initiator living on his wishes. He said everything rises and falls with leadership. What separates managers from leaders is vision, without a vision there can be no mission, no productive goals.
He explained that it is only through a compelling vision that a deep sense of purpose comes alive naturally into creating something that truly excites.
Speaking further Ogunruku a seasoned University administrator said if anyone wants to lead he must spend 50% of his energy leading himself, 20% leading his superiors 15% leading his peers and only 15% leading his subordinates.
Re-emphasising knowledge and vision as qualities for good and sustainable leadership he said the ultimate responsibility of a leader is to get result because it allows for one to see the bigger picture. It is the ultimate assessment that provides a platform for improvement with evidence of responsiveness to the external environment and is allows development of effective parameters for performance and decision making.
Changing the students, he said leadership is all about vision, energizing people, communication, charisma and competence, without all these it may be almost impossible to achieve as a leader Ogunruku said “leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that your impact last in your absence”.
Delivering a key note address the Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape congratulated the Executive members for the success recorded at the polls. He said the election was genuine and credible.
Applauding the Exco’s for successfully completing 60 days in office he said leadership is not just about occupying a seat or a position, but about accomplishing a feat and making outstanding contributions and setting a pace.
The Vice-Chancellor said the aim of the leadership retreat was to cross-fertilise ideas and share experiences towards building responsible students leadership. He said the retreat will equip them with skills they need to become thoughtful, purposeful and flexible leaders for better understanding of creative and innovative unionism.
Counselling them Professor Fuwape said “skills of resilience, collaboration and emotional intelligence are very vital in becoming good leaders”.
Speaking further he said the breed of leaders that adopt anti-Institution styles do not cause change to happen in their domain, Professor Fuwape assured Management commitment at improving the quality of academic programmes and enhancing students welfare with the available resources.
Speaking in the same vein the Dean, Student Affairs, Professor Gbenga Onibi reminded them that leadership is a great privilege that comes with a lot of responsibilities.
Admonishing the student leaders he said the era of hooliganism and destruction of properties was over. He said the best method of achieving their set goals is through negotiation through the proper channel rather than confrontation.