By Dada Ahmed.

The 2024 Youth Engagement Summit, organized by the youth of Kogi State and held at the Glass House, the seat of government, on July 31, has come and gone, leaving behind a powerful lesson in humility and leadership.

The Glass House was packed to capacity, with vibrant music and a buzz of excitement as youths, top government officials, and journalists eagerly awaited the arrival of Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for the highly anticipated event.

When the governor and his entourage arrived, Ododo greeted the audience with his signature infectious smile and enthusiastic waves, earning cheers and applause from the crowd. Instead of proceeding directly to the high table as is customary for most leaders, Ododo chose to engage with the audience personally. He moved through the crowd, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries under the watchful eye of his security personnel. Only after this personal interaction did he proceed to the high table for the national anthem.

In an absolute demonstration of humility and progressive leadership, Governor Ododo vacated the high table immediately after the anthem, placing the focus of the event on the youth. His decision was met with a resounding ovation from the attendees.

Experts on leadership have described the governor’s action as an act of self-effacement. Self-effacement involves deliberately downplaying one’s own importance to highlight the contributions and significance.

They note that in leadership, demonstrated with such quality reflects a willingness of a leader who knows his onions in leading the people, the essence of stepping aside and let others, particularly those who might otherwise be overlooked, take center stage, as circumstance may be warrant.

For many youths, Governor Ododo’s gesture served as a significant boost, transforming the summit into a symbol of inclusive governance and respect for young voices depicting the broader implications and important gesture in many facets of human development.

Many of the youths who attended the summit expressed satisfaction over the governor,and described his attitude as not novel in the governance of the state but a demonstration of his resolve to empower them by prioritizing their participation in the process of governance.

According to them, Ododo’s style of leadership also represents a gesture that underscores the importance of involving younger generations in decision-making processes, for them to get fostered and grow in leadership skills and qualities so that they can lead effectively when given chance to lead.

Other youths see the governor’s attitude as a humility and willingness to step aside,a reflection of a leadership style that values collaboration and inclusivity over personal prominence, there by setting a high standard for other leaders to emulate.

Ododo’s action, other members of the audience believe, lis capable of building trust, engagement and enhance trust between leaders and the public, stressing that the fact not many leaders know that leadership is not about hierarchy but about serving and uplifting communities is well captured at the summit.

It has been argued at different fora that humility in leadership is one the practical means of encouraging progressive governance and inspire other leaders to adopt similar approaches, for the promotion of more democratic and participatory forms of governance.

In the final analysis, it is instructive to note that,in a context where leadership is often seen as a position of elevated status, Governor Ododo’s approach to leadership represents a refreshing model of respect and inclusivity.

Since assuming office, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to valuing diverse viewpoints and recognizing the contributions of all segments of society, hence, contributing to a more balanced and inclusive leadership culture in Kogi State.

Dada Ahmed publishes The Reporters,an online publication.