Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Professor Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Gombe, has cautioned politicians that disregarding people’s opinions and making unfulfilled promises can lead to resistance from the public.
Speaking recently at the Gombe State Local Government Summit, Pate emphasised that leadership requires understanding and respecting people’s opinions.
“Leadership entails understanding and respecting people’s opinions, avoiding taking people’s wishes for granted, knowing that unfulfilled promises and repeated lying can lead to resistance,” Pate said.
Represented by Dr Umar Mohammed, Pate urged government officials to prioritize effective decision-making by monitoring public opinion, differentiating propaganda from genuine public sentiment, and respecting public opinion to maintain loyalty and support.
Pate stressed that communication skills are crucial for effective leadership, citing research that highlights the importance of interpersonal skills in building strong relationships with subordinates, peers, and external publics.
“Serious leaders communicate rules clearly to their teams and follow those rules themselves, understand the 3 Ps in governance: Power, Politics, and Policies, and demonstrate competence and confidence while communicating with others,” Pate noted.
The Vice Chancellor defined leadership as the ability to influence others to achieve a common goal, emphasizing that leaders should possess exceptional qualities, including vision, discipline, intelligence, courage, and wisdom.
Pate encouraged leaders to explore strategies for online communication, utilising platforms like webinars, podcasts, Zoom, and social media to effectively engage with their audience.
