Leaders Must Prioritize National Interest – DG NILDS

The Director General National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has charged leaders to put in efforts towards the attainments of corporate goals in the public service sector.

Professor Sulaiman gave the charge in a paper titled “Leadership and Management in the Public Service”: lessons for NILDS staff at the 7th capacity building workshop for Non- academic senior staff held in Abuja.

He blamed the unhealthy dichotomy between academic and non- academic staff on poor leadership and management pointing out that both cadres are important in the attainments of the corporate goals of the organisation.

While outlining the qualities of good leadership to include integrity, hard work, good communication skills, and creativity, Prof Sulaiman, said leaders must prioritize national interest in navigating tough terrains in decision-making process.

While stressing that leaders must lead by example, he identified fourteen key areas of cognisance for good leaders to imbibe, which includes; commitment, building strength, dealing with stress, and opening up opportunities for staff to pursue academic growth.

Others are; a set of goals and emplacement of motivational rewards systems as well as to mentor new generations of leaders.

The Director General who told the managers to raise the bar of commitments to duty said NILDS as a top-notch training hub has grown to be a World Class outfit from four departments he inherited to eleven departments among several changes made in the last six years of his stewardship.

The work featured other papers presentation such as: “Building Professionalism and Workplace Etiquette in the Public Service” presented by Francis OJie and “Management, Maintenance and Safety of Workplace Assets” by Architect Tuo Zara Boryo.