True Leadership is Service, Not a Spectacle
The recent interest in my serving food at the Jubilee of Hope event in Imo State highlights a profound misunderstanding of leadership in our nation. The surprise expressed by many reveals how far we have strayed from the foundational principle that leadership is, and must always be, about service.
Let me be clear: the Jubilee of Hope was not about me. It was a private event designed to remind us that those who are blessed with abundance have a solemn duty to those who are not. It was a call to action for empathy and a demonstration of the society we must build—one where the powerful connect with the powerless, not for show, but for sincere connection.
While I did not seek media attention for this act of service, photos and videos were shared by third parties. Predictably, some have attempted to politicize a deeply personal and meaningful event. This is a disservice to the spirit of the day.
Many other distinguished Nigerians, including Cardinal Onaiyekan, Senator Osita Izunaso, and Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako, also participated quietly and with humility. They, like me, were there to serve, not to be seen.
Service is a way of life for me, not a performance. As Governor, I served the people at public events. In my private life, I do not have domestic staff; I serve my own guests. Humility is not a campaign slogan; it is a core value.
The purpose of the Jubilee of Hope is to inspire a culture of compassion and responsibility. We cannot build a New Nigeria if we ignore the hungry and the marginalized. This act of serving should not be strange; it should be the standard.
Let us work together to create a nation where dignity is a right for all, not a privilege for a few. A New Nigeria is POssible.
