Ahead of the rescheduled general elections meant to usher in new leadership for Nigeria, an erudite scholar and cleric, Professor Philip Anyaehe Ogbonna a carnelian missionary and staff of the Imo State University, Owerri in his quest and contribution to the search for authentic leadership for our country yesterday at the Community Watchdog Newspaper corporate office Owerri presented his latest book with the title “the art of leadership” to the publisher, Comrade Precious Nwadike.
Presenting the book to Comrade Nwadike who stood in for Watchdog Newspaper,the learned scholar observed that while the clergy face the altar to pray for leaders, they also work hard to groom leaders as what we have now are rulers who grab powers by all means without using such powers effectively.
The priest contended that those who are ruling us now use the power they acquire by any means to lead us astray hence the search for selfless leaders who understand that a leader is a father and protector, hence any leader who cannot protect his subjects is not worth the honour, and name.
It is at a point of his contribution for the search and grooming the new leadership that gave birth to this 262 paged compendium bound on paper book which according to Prof Ogbonna,was presented to the public on Monday February 11, 2019 at Imo State University lecture threatre Owerri under the chairmanship of Mr. Paschal Dozie as part of the author’s 3rd annual lecture series.
The 3rd annual lecture series under the auspice of Soren Kierkegaard Academic society of Nigeria has as its theme, for this year “the burden of leadership and development in Nigeria”.
Speaking further at the presentation of the book to the young publisher/politician, Professor Ogbonna said that the country is collapsing and perhaps we may require a revolution to get the desired leaderships change but for now as workers in the Lords vineyard, as academician we have to start with the evolution of grooming the younger generation through education.
In his response,the UPP senatorial candidate for Orlu zone,Comrade Precious Nwadike commended Prof Ogbonna for standing out in the midst of leaders who lack confidence in the power of youths and have continued to see them as threat rather than partners in progress.He promised to partner with him to ensure that every potential leader of his time reads the said book.
Among those who accompanied Professor to the book presentation at the Newspaper house were;Mr. Bismark Lumanze and Comrade Ken Obiakor.
On the public presentation of this historic book which is a must read for young leadership aspirants which was chaired by Dr. Paschal Dozie OON, were another erudite and renowned scholar Professor Theodore C. Okeahialem, Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health from Otulu Ahiara, Sir Diamond Ovueraye (KSM) Supreme Knight, Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, former Inspector General of Police, Chief Mike Okiro, former Pro-Chancellor of Imo State University Owerri as well as Dr. (Mrs) Celestina Njoku, former Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede.
Reverend Father (Professor) Philip Ogbonna is a Catholic Priest of the Claretian Missionary. He is a Professor of Philosophy of Imo State University Owerri and the Cleratian Institute of Philosophy Nekede as well as visiting Professor at the Jordan University Morogoro Tanzania. He is an author and a pioneering figure in philosophic and leadership studies.
