By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe has commended a United States of America (USA) Based Bayelsa born academic, Prof. Mannixs Paul for authoring five books that tell more on effective leadership.
Speaking during the grand launch of the books in Yenagoa, the deputy governor enthused that leadership deficit had been the bane of underdevelopment in Africa, describing the literary works as thought provoking.
Akpe described lack of preparation as the major reason for leadership failure in Nigeria and Africa, adding that the core foundation of leadership remained the ability to influence others to do what is thright.
The deputy governor who represented the governor, Senator Douye Diri, enjoined young Bayelsans aspiring to become good leaders to properly read and digest the five books in order to prepare themselves for impactful leadership.
Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Education, Mr. Gentle Emelah, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Simon Okene thanked the author for investing in Bayelsa State’s education sector.
Chairman, planning committee and Vice Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Prof. Allen Agih said the event was not just book launch but a summit on leadership and accountability which is a key issue in the African continent.
“We are trying to see what we can do in Bayelsa State. The author of the books is a proud Bayelsan who has been in the United States of America for over thirty years,” he said.
He said the books launched and the summit were to ensure efficiency in government of Bayelsa State, recommending the books to all students, Bayelsans, Nigerians and Africans in general.
The books reviewer, Prof. Ibaba Ibaba, said when thoroughly consumed, the five literary materials enable young minds to understand that leadership is an act.
“We should understand that leadership is an act. The act doesn’t benefit the professional.
“The act of medicine doesn’t benefit the doctor. It’s the patient. The act of teaching doesn’t benefit the teacher. It’s the students. The act of leadership shouldn’t benefit the leaders but the citizens.
“That’s what we need for this country to move forward. These are the key things you can takeaway from the five books,” he said.
Speaking, the author and founder of Mannixs Empowerment Foundation, Prof. Paul said identification of leadership problems and how to solve them inspired him to write the books.
Paul noted that the books suggested ways to mitigate the problems and move Nigeria and Africa forward.
He described the books as reawakening, challenging Nigerians to read the contents and practicalize them.
The five books are: Courage, Science and Commitment: Reclaiming A Nation’s Destiny, Forensic Investigation And Criminal Intelligence: Managing Practice as well as Beyond The Ledger: Forensic Accounting In Law, Fraud And Justice.
Others are: Principles And Practice Of Criminal Investigation as well as Strategic Management In Modern Times.
