UI Tells Student Leaders: Character and Credibility Outweigh Titles
Student union leaders at the University of Ibadan have been told to anchor their tenure on ethical conduct, accountability, competence and resilience, with the institution stressing that occupying a post does not amount to effective leadership.
Prof. Adebayo Oluwole, who heads the university's Career Development and Counselling Centre (CDCC), delivered the charge at a training programme organised for student union leaders. The theme of the event was 'Ethical and Responsible Student Leadership: Building Competence, Resilience and Positive Impact'.
Oluwole told participants that student leadership represents at once a duty and a platform for driving positive change. He said those elected are expected to stand for their fellow students, put their concerns into words, interface with university authorities, settle disagreements and play a part in developing the university community.
According to him, the calibre of student leadership has a bearing on student life, relationships on campus and how the university is perceived.
"Leadership cannot be sustained by position alone, as a title may give you authority, but character, competence and credibility give you influence," he said.
He explained that the training was purposefully arranged to introduce student leaders to several sides of effective leadership, among them responsible governance, collaboration, conflict management, drug abuse prevention and people skills.
The opening session, 'Drug Abuse and Addiction: Early Signs of Abuse, Consequences and the Way Out', was delivered by Mercy Godwin, who stood in for the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command.
Oluwole said that session carried particular weight because student leaders are looked upon as role models and positive influences among their peers.
Mr. Olagoke Akanwo, Deputy Bursar (Grants) at the University of Ibadan, handled another session titled 'Ethical Leadership, Accountability and Stewardship in Student Governance'.
There was also a session on 'Leadership Service through Collaboration and Teamwork among Students', facilitated by Dr. Adebunmi Oyekola, Director of the Youth Friendly Centre.
Oluwole said that session brought out the value of working as a team, noting that no leader can succeed alone.
Dr. Adeleye of the Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies delivered a session on 'Understanding Personality Types for Effective Conflict Management'.
Oluwole said an understanding of personality differences matters for student leaders because they deal with people of differing temperaments, expectations, communication styles and ways of handling disagreement.
The final session, 'People Skills for Student Leaders: Empathy, Altruism and Positive Campus Relationships', was facilitated by Dr. Ola John Oluremi of Micomglobe Limited, Lagos.
Oluwole said that session reinforced how much empathy and healthy relationships matter, adding that leadership is ultimately about people.
"The CDCC remains committed to supporting the development of students with the knowledge, skills and values required to provide responsible leadership within and beyond the university community," he stated.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kayode Adebowale urged the student leaders to lead with empathy, integrity, competence and courage. He stressed that effective leadership rests on understanding people, communicating well and treating others with dignity.
Adebowale, who declared the training open, said it was put together to furnish student leaders with the skills and values required for responsible leadership.
He observed that even where leaders have sound policies, programmes, manifestoes and speeches, their leadership stays limited if they cannot understand those they lead, communicate with them and share in their experiences.
"Empathy is not weakness. Altruism is not foolishness. Respect is not surrender. These are qualities that enable leaders to build trust and create healthier relationships," he said.
The VC asked the student leaders to come to the training with open minds and to take an active part by posing questions, questioning their own assumptions and learning from the facilitators as well as from one another.
He also told them to turn what they learned into conduct, saying leadership training only counts for something when it shapes what people do.
"Preparing students for the future goes beyond academic qualifications, as the workplace and society require graduates who can communicate, collaborate, manage conflicts, demonstrate emotional intelligence, make ethical decisions, solve problems and lead responsibly," he said.
He said the university's mandate stretches past career preparation to nurturing character, competence, resilience and the capacity to form meaningful relationships.
Adebowale thanked the student leaders for their participation.
Addressing them, he urged them to keep their legacy in view once their term ends, adding: "Your tenure will end, but your legacy will remain."
He advised them against judging their success solely by what they accomplished in office, saying the people they empowered, the relationships they built, the values they showed and the positive culture they left behind also count.
Adebowale urged them to "lead with integrity, lead with competence, lead with empathy, lead with courage, lead collaboratively", adding that above all they should lead in the spirit of service.
to like, bookmark, and comment.
Comments
Join the conversation:
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.